diff options
Diffstat (limited to '11082-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 11082-0.txt | 21999 |
1 files changed, 21999 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/11082-0.txt b/11082-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0536956 --- /dev/null +++ b/11082-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,21999 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11082 *** + +OLD SAINT PAUL'S, _A TALE OF THE PLAGUE AND THE FIRE_ + +By William Harrison Ainsworth + + + +The portion of the ensuing Tale relating to the Grocer of Wood-street, +and his manner of victualling his house, and shutting up himself and his +family within it during the worst part of the Plague of 1665, is founded +on a narrative, which I have followed pretty closely in most of its +details, contained in a very rare little volume, entitled, +"_Preparations against the Plague, both of Soul and Body_," the +authorship of which I have no hesitation in assigning to DEFOE. Indeed, +I venture to pronounce it his masterpiece. It is strange that this +matchless performance should have hitherto escaped attention, and that +it should not have been reprinted with some one of the countless +impressions of the "_History of the Plague of London_," to which it +forms an almost necessary accompaniment. The omission, I trust, will be +repaired by Mr. HAZLITT the younger, DEFOE'S last and best editor, in +his valuable edition of the works of that great novelist and political +writer, now in the course of publication. It may be added, that a case +precisely similar to that of the Grocer, and attended with the same +happy results, occurred during the Plague of Marseilles, in 1720. + +For my acquaintance with this narrative, as well as for the suggestion +of its application to the present purpose, I am indebted to my friend, +Mr. JAMES CROSSLEY, of Manchester. + +KENSAL MANOR HOUSE, HARROW ROAD, _November_ 30, 1841. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +BOOK THE FIRST--April, 1665. + +1. The Grocer of Wood-street and his Family. + +2. The Coffin-maker. + +3. The Gamester and the Bully. + +4. The Interview. + +5. The Pomander-box. + +6. The Libertine Punished. + +7. The Plague Nurse. + +8. The Mosaical Rods. + +9. The Miniature. + +10. The Duel. + + +BOOK THE SECOND.--May, 1665. + +1. The Progress of the Pestilence. + +2. In what Manner the Grocer Victualled his House. + +3. The Quack Doctors. + +4. The Two Watchmen. + +5. The Blind Piper and his Daughter. + +6. Old London from Old Saint Paul's. + +7. Paul's Walk. + +8. The Amulet. + +9. How Leonard was cured of the Plague. + +10. The Pest-house in Finsbury Fields. + +11. How the Grocer shut up his House. + + +BOOK THE THIRD.--June, 1665. + +1. The Imprisoned Family. + +2. How Fires were Lighted in the Streets. + +3. The Dance of Death. + +4. The Plague-pit. + +5. How Saint Paul's was used as a Pest-house. + +6. The Departure. + +7. The Journey. + +8. Ashdown Lodge. + +9. Kingston Lisle. + + +BOOK THE FOURTH.--September, 1665. + +1. The Plague at its Height. + +2. The Second Plague-pit. + +3. The House in Nicholas-lane. + +4. The Trials of Amabel. + +5. The Marriage and its Consequences. + +6. The Certificate. + + +BOOK THE FIFTH.--December, 1665. + +1. The Decline of the Plague. + +2. The Midnight Meeting. + + +BOOK THE SIXTH.--September, 1666. + +1. The Fire-ball. + +2. The First Night of the Fire. + +3. Progress of the Fire. + +4. Leonard's Interview with the King. + +5. How Leonard saved the King's Life. + +6. How the Grocer's House was Burnt. + +7. The Burning of Saint Paul's. + +8. How Leonard rescued the Lady Isabella. + +9. What befel Chowles and Judith in the Vaults of Saint Faith's. + +10. Conclusion. + + + + +OLD SAINT PAUL'S. + + + + +BOOK THE FIRST.--APRIL, 1665. + + + + +I. THE GROCER OF WOOD-STREET AND HIS FAMILY. + +One night, at the latter end of April, 1665, the family of a citizen of +London carrying on an extensive business as a grocer in Wood-street, +Cheapside, were assembled, according to custom, at prayer. The grocer's +name was Stephen Bloundel. His family consisted of his wife, three sons, +and two daughters. He had, moreover, an apprentice; an elderly female +serving as cook; her son, a young man about five-and-twenty, filling the +place of porter to the shop and general assistant; and a kitchen-maid. +The whole household attended; for the worthy grocer, being a strict +observer of his religious duties, as well as a rigid disciplinarian in +other respects, suffered no one to be absent, on any plea whatever, +except indisposition, from morning and evening devotions; and these were +always performed at stated times. In fact, the establishment was +conducted with the regularity of clockwork, it being the aim of its +master not to pass a single hour of the day unprofitably. + +The ordinary prayers gone through, Stephen Bloundel offered up along and +fervent supplication to the Most High for protection against the +devouring pestilence with which the city was then scourged. He +acknowledged that this terrible visitation had been justly brought upon +it by the wickedness of its inhabitants; that they deserved their doom, +dreadful though it was; that, like the dwellers in Jerusalem before it +was given up to ruin and desolation, they "had mocked the messengers of +God and despised His word;" that in the language of the prophet, "they +had refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their +ears that they should not hear; yea, had made their heart like an +adamant stone, lest they should hear the law and the words which the +Lord of Hosts had sent in his spirit by the former prophets." He +admitted that great sins require great chastisement, and that the sins +of London were enormous; that it was filled with strifes, seditions, +heresies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and every kind of +abomination; that the ordinances of God were neglected, and all manner +of vice openly practised; that, despite repeated warnings and +afflictions less grievous than the present, these vicious practices had +been persisted in. All this he humbly acknowledged. But he implored a +gracious Providence, in consideration of his few faithful servants, to +spare the others yet a little longer, and give them a last chance of +repentance and amendment; or, if this could not be, and their utter +extirpation was inevitable, that the habitations of the devout might be +exempted from the general destruction--might be places of refuge, as +Zoar was to Lot. He concluded by earnestly exhorting those around him to +keep constant watch upon themselves; not to murmur at God's dealings and +dispensations; but so to comport themselves, that "they might be able to +stand in the day of wrath, in the day of death, and in the day of +judgment." The exhortation produced a powerful effect upon its hearers, +and they arose, some with serious, others with terrified looks. + +Before proceeding further, it may be desirable to show in what manner +the dreadful pestilence referred to by the grocer commenced, and how far +its ravages had already extended. Two years before, namely, in 1663, +more than a third of the population of Amsterdam was carried off by a +desolating plague. Hamburgh was also grievously afflicted about the same +time, and in the same manner. Notwithstanding every effort to cut off +communication with these states, the insidious disease found its way +into England by means of some bales of merchandise, as it was suspected, +at the latter end of the year 1664, when two persons died suddenly, with +undoubted symptoms of the distemper, in Westminster. Its next appearance +was at a house in Long Acre, and its victims two Frenchmen, who had +brought goods from the Levant. Smothered for a short time, like a fire +upon which coals had been heaped, it broke out with fresh fury in +several places. + +The consternation now began. The whole city was panic-stricken: nothing +was talked of but the plague--nothing planned but means of arresting its +progress--one grim and ghastly idea possessed the minds of all. Like a +hideous phantom stalking the streets at noon-day, and scaring all in its +path, Death took his course through London, and selected his prey at +pleasure. The alarm was further increased by the predictions confidently +made as to the vast numbers who would be swept away by the visitation; +by the prognostications of astrologers; by the prophesyings of +enthusiasts; by the denunciations of preachers, and by the portents and +prodigies reported to have occurred. During the long and frosty winter +preceding this fatal year, a comet appeared in the heavens, the sickly +colour of which was supposed to forebode the judgment about to follow. +Blazing stars and other meteors, of a lurid hue and strange and +preternatural shape, were likewise seen. The sun was said to have set in +streams of blood, and the moon to have shown without reflecting a +shadow; grisly shapes appeared at night--strange clamours and groans +were heard in the air--hearses, coffins, and heaps of unburied dead were +discovered in the sky, and great cakes and clots of blood were found in +the Tower moat; while a marvellous double tide occurred at London +Bridge. All these prodigies were currently reported, and in most cases +believed. + +The severe frost, before noticed, did not break up till the end of +February, and with the thaw the plague frightfully increased in +violence. From Drury-lane it spread along Holborn, eastward as far as +Great Turnstile, and westward to Saint Giles's Pound, and so along the +Tyburn-road. Saint Andrew's, Holborn, was next infected; and as this was +a much more populous parish than the former, the deaths were more +numerous within it. For a while, the disease was checked by Fleet Ditch; +it then leaped this narrow boundary, and ascending the opposite hill, +carried fearful devastation into Saint James's, Clerkenwell. At the same +time, it attacked Saint Bride's; thinned the ranks of the thievish horde +haunting Whitefriars, and proceeding in a westerly course, decimated +Saint Clement Danes. + +Hitherto, the city had escaped. The destroyer had not passed Ludgate or +Newgate, but environed the walls like a besieging enemy. A few days, +however, before the opening of this history, fine weather having +commenced, the horrible disease began to grow more rife, and laughing +all precautions and impediments to scorn, broke out in the very heart of +the stronghold--namely, in Bearbinder-lane, near Stock's Market, where +nine persons died. + +At a season so awful, it may be imagined how an impressive address, like +that delivered by the grocer, would be received by those who saw in the +pestilence, not merely an overwhelming scourge from which few could +escape, but a direct manifestation of the Divine displeasure. Not a word +was said. Blaize Shotterel, the porter, and old Josyna, his mother, +together with Patience, the other woman-servant, betook themselves +silently, and with troubled countenances, to the kitchen. Leonard Holt, +the apprentice, lingered for a moment to catch a glance from the soft +blue eyes of Amabel, the grocer's eldest daughter (for even the plague +was a secondary consideration with him when she was present), and +failing in the attempt, he heaved a deep sigh, which was luckily laid to +the account of the discourse he had just listened to by his +sharp-sighted master, and proceeded to the shop, where he busied himself +in arranging matters for the night. + +Having just completed his twenty-first year, and his apprenticeship +being within a few months of its expiration, Leonard Holt began to think +of returning to his native town of Manchester, where he intended to +settle, and where he had once fondly hoped the fair Amabel would +accompany him, in the character of his bride. Not that he had ever +ventured to declare his passion, nor that he had received sufficient +encouragement to make it matter of certainty that if he did so declare +himself, he should be accepted; but being both "proper and tall," and +having tolerable confidence in his good looks, he had made himself, up +to a short time prior to his introduction to the reader, quite easy on +the point. + +His present misgivings were occasioned by Amabel's altered manner +towards him, and by a rival who, he had reason to fear, had completely +superseded him in her good graces. Brought up together from an early +age, the grocer's daughter and the young apprentice had at first +regarded each other as brother and sister. By degrees, the feeling +changed; Amabel became more reserved, and held little intercourse with +Leonard, who, busied with his own concerns, thought little about her. +But, as he grew towards manhood, he could not remain insensible to her +extraordinary beauty--for extraordinary it was, and such as to attract +admiration wherever she went, so that the "Grocer's Daughter" became the +toast among the ruffling gallants of the town, many of whom sought to +obtain speech with her. Her parents, however, were far too careful to +permit any such approach. Amabel's stature was lofty; her limbs slight, +but exquisitely symmetrical; her features small, and cast in the most +delicate mould; her eyes of the softest blue; and her hair luxuriant, +and of the finest texture and richest brown. Her other beauties must be +left to the imagination; but it ought not to be omitted that she was +barely eighteen, and had all the freshness, the innocence, and vivacity +of that most charming period of woman's existence. No wonder she +ravished every heart. No wonder, in an age when love-making was more +general even than now, that she was beset by admirers. No wonder her +father's apprentice became desperately enamoured of her, and +proportionately jealous. + +And this brings us to his rival. On the 10th of April, two gallants, +both richly attired, and both young and handsome, dismounted before the +grocer's door, and, leaving their steeds to the care of their +attendants, entered the shop. They made sundry purchases of conserves, +figs, and other dried fruit, chatted familiarly with the grocer, and +tarried so long, that at last he began to suspect they must have some +motive. All at once, however, they disagreed on some slight +matter--Bloundel could not tell what, nor, perhaps, could the +disputants, even if their quarrel was not preconcerted--high words +arose, and in another moment, swords were drawn, and furious passes +exchanged. The grocer called to his eldest son, a stout youth of +nineteen, and to Leonard Holt, to separate them. The apprentice seized +his cudgel--no apprentice in those days was without one--and rushed +towards the combatants, but before he could interfere, the fray was +ended. One of them had received a thrust through the sword arm, and his +blade dropping, his antagonist declared himself satisfied, and with a +grave salute walked off. The wounded man wrapped a lace handkerchief +round his arm, but immediately afterwards complained of great faintness. +Pitying his condition, and suspecting no harm, the grocer led him into +an inner room, where restoratives were offered by Mrs. Bloundel and her +daughter Amabel, both of whom had been alarmed by the noise of the +conflict. In a short time, the wounded man was so far recovered as to be +able to converse with his assistants, especially the younger one; and +the grocer having returned to the shop, his discourse became so very +animated and tender, that Mrs. Bloundel deemed it prudent to give her +daughter a hint to retire. Amabel reluctantly obeyed, for the young +stranger was so handsome, so richly dressed, had such a captivating +manner, and so distinguished an air, that she was strongly prepossessed +in his favour. A second look from her mother, however, caused her to +disappear, nor did she return. After waiting with suppressed anxiety for +some time, the young gallant departed, overwhelming the good dame with +his thanks, and entreating permission to call again. This was +peremptorily refused, but, notwithstanding the interdiction, he came on +the following day. The grocer chanced to be out at the time, and the +gallant, who had probably watched him go forth, deriding the +remonstrances of the younger Bloundel and Leonard, marched straight to +the inner room, where he found the dame and her daughter. They were much +disconcerted at his appearance, and the latter instantly rose with the +intention of retiring, but the gallant caught her arm and detained her. + +"Do not fly me, Amabel," he cried, in an impassioned tone, "but suffer +me to declare the love I have for you. I cannot live without you." + +Amabel, whose neck and cheeks were crimsoned with blushes, cast down her +eyes before the ardent regards of the gallant, and endeavoured to +withdraw her hand. + +"One word only," he continued, "and I release you. Am I wholly +indifferent to you! Answer me--yes or no!" + +"Do _not_ answer him, Amabel," interposed her mother. "He is deceiving +you. He loves you not. He would ruin you. This is the way with all these +court butterflies. Tell him you hate him, child, and bid him begone." + +"But I cannot tell him an untruth, mother," returned Amabel, artlessly, +"for I do _not_ hate him." + +"Then you love me," cried the young man, falling on his knees, and +pressing her hand to his lips. "Tell me so, and make me the happiest of +men." + +But Amabel had now recovered from the confusion into which she had been +thrown, and, alarmed at her own indiscretion, forcibly withdrew her +hand, exclaiming in a cold tone, and with much natural dignity, "Arise, +sir. I will not tolerate these freedoms. My mother is right--you have +some ill design." + +"By my soul, no!" cried the gallant, passionately. "I love you, and +would make you mine." + +"No doubt," remarked Mrs. Bloundel, contemptuously, "but not by +marriage." + +"Yes, by marriage," rejoined the gallant, rising. "If she will consent, +I will wed her forthwith." + +Both Amabel and her mother looked surprised at the young man's +declaration, which was uttered with a fervour that seemed to leave no +doubt of its sincerity; but the latter, fearing some artifice, replied, +"If what you say is true, and you really love my daughter as much as you +pretend, this is not the way to win her; for though she can have no +pretension to wed with one of your seeming degree, nor is it for her +happiness that she should, yet, were she sought by the proudest noble in +the land, she shall never, if I can help it, be lightly won. If your +intentions are honourable, you must address yourself, in the first +place, to her father, and if he agrees (which I much doubt) that you +shall become her suitor, I can make no objection. Till this is settled, +I must pray you to desist from further importunity." + +"And so must I," added Amabel. "I cannot give you a hope till you have +spoken to my father." + +"Be it so," replied the gallant. "I will tarry here till his return." + +So saying, he was about to seat himself, but Mrs. Bloundel prevented +him. + +"I cannot permit this, sir," she cried. "Your tarrying here may, for +aught I know, bring scandal upon my house;--I am sure it will be +disagreeable to my husband. I am unacquainted with your name and +condition. You may be a man of rank. You may be one of the profligate +and profane crew who haunt the court. You may be the worst of them all, +my Lord Rochester himself. He is about your age, I have heard, and +though a mere boy in years, is a veteran in libertinism. But, whoever +you are, and whatever your rank and station may be, unless your +character will bear the strictest scrutiny, I am certain Stephen +Bloundel will never consent to your union with his daughter." + +"Nay, mother," observed Amabel, "you judge the gentleman unjustly. I am +sure he is neither a profligate gallant himself, nor a companion of +such--especially of the wicked Earl of Rochester." + +"I pretend to be no better than I am," replied the young man, repressing +a smile that rose to his lips at Mrs. Bloundel's address; "but I shall +reform when I am married. It would be impossible to be inconstant to so +fair a creature as Amabel. For my rank, I have none. My condition is +that of a private gentleman,--my name, Maurice Wyvil." + +"What you say of yourself, Mr. Maurice Wyvil, convinces me you will meet +with a decided refusal from my husband," returned Mrs. Bloundel. + +"I trust not," replied Wyvil, glancing tenderly at Amabel. "If I should +be so fortunate as to gain _his_ consent, have I _yours_?" + +"It is too soon to ask that question," she rejoined, blushing deeply. +"And now, sir, you must go, indeed, you must. You distress my mother." + +"If I do not distress _you_, I will stay," resumed Wyvil, with an +imploring look. + +"You _do_ distress me," she answered, averting her gaze. + +"Nay, then, I must tear myself away," he rejoined. "I shall return +shortly, and trust to find your father less flinty-hearted than he is +represented." + +He would have clasped Amabel in his arms, and perhaps snatched a kiss, +if her mother had not rushed between them. + +"No more familiarities, sir," she cried angrily; "no court manners here. +If you look to wed my daughter, you must conduct yourself more +decorously; but I can tell you, you have no chance--none whatever." + +"Time will show," replied Wyvil, audaciously. "You had better give her +to me quietly, and save me the trouble of carrying her off,--for have +her I will." + +"Mercy on us!" cried Mrs. Bloundel, in accents of alarm; "now his wicked +intentions are out." + +"Fear nothing, mother," observed Amabel, coldly. "He will scarcely carry +me off without my own consent; and I am not likely to sacrifice myself +for one who holds me in such light esteem." + +"Forgive me, Amabel," rejoined Wyvil, in a voice so penitent that it +instantly effaced her displeasure; "I meant not to offend. I spoke only +the language of distraction. Do not dismiss me thus, or my death will +lie at your door." + +"I should be sorry for that," she replied; "but, inexperienced as I am, +I feel this is not the language of real regard, but of furious passion." + +A dark shade passed over Wyvil's handsome features, and the almost +feminine beauty by which they were characterized gave place to a fierce +and forbidding expression. Controlling himself by a powerful effort, he +replied, with forced calmness, "Amabel, you know not what it is to love. +I will not stir hence till I have seen your father." + +"We will see that, sir," exclaimed Mrs. Bloundel, angrily. "What, ho! +son Stephen! Leonard Holt! I say. This gentleman _will_ stay here, +whether I like or not. Show him forth." + +"That I will, right willingly," replied the apprentice, rushing before +the younger Bloundel, and flourishing his formidable cudgel. "Out with +you, sir! Out with you!" + +"Not at your bidding you, saucy knave," rejoined Wyvil, laying his hand +upon his sword: "and if it were not for the presence of your mistress +and her lovely daughter, I would crop your ears for your insolence." + +"Their presence shall not prevent me from making my cudgel and your +shoulders acquainted, if you do not budge," replied the apprentice, +sturdily. + +Enraged by the retort, Wyvil would have drawn his sword, but a blow on +the arm disabled him. + +"Plague on you, fellow!" he exclaimed; "you shall rue this to the last +day of your existence." + +"Threaten those who heed you," replied Leonard, about to repeat the +blow. + +"Do him no further injury!" cried Amabel, arresting his hand, and +looking with the greatest commiseration at Wyvil. "You have dealt with +him far too rudely already." + +"Since I have your sympathy, sweet Amabel," rejoined Wyvil, "I care not +what rude treatment I experience from this churl. We shall soon meet +again." And bowing to her, he strode out of the room. + +Leonard followed him to the shop-door, hoping some further pretext for +quarrel would arise, but he was disappointed. Wyvil took no notice of +him, and proceeded at a slow pace towards Cheapside. + +Half an hour afterwards, Stephen Bloundel came home. On being informed +of what had occurred, he was greatly annoyed, though he concealed his +vexation, and highly applauded his daughter's conduct. Without further +comment, he proceeded about his business, and remained in the shop till +it was closed. Wyvil did not return, and the grocer tried to persuade +himself they should see nothing more of him. Before Amabel retired to +rest, he imprinted a kiss on her snowy brow, and said, in a tone of the +utmost kindness, "You have never yet deceived me, child, and I hope +never will. Tell me truly, do you take any interest in this young +gallant?" + +Amabel blushed deeply. + +"I should not speak the truth, father," she rejoined, after a pause, "if +I were to say I do not." + +"I am sorry for it," replied Bloundel, gravely. "But you would not be +happy with him. I am sure he is unprincipled and profligate:--you must +forget him." + +"I will try to do so," sighed Amabel. And the conversation dropped. + +On the following day, Maurice Wyvil entered the grocer's shop. He was +more richly attired than before, and there was a haughtiness in his +manner which he had not hitherto assumed. What passed between him and +Bloundel was not known, for the latter never spoke of it; but the result +may be gathered from the fact that the young gallant was not allowed an +interview with the grocer's daughter. + +From this moment the change previously noticed took place in Amabel's +demeanour towards Leonard. She seemed scarcely able to endure his +presence, and sedulously avoided his regards. From being habitually gay +and cheerful, she became pensive and reserved. Her mother more than once +caught her in tears; and it was evident, from many other signs, that +Wyvil completely engrossed her thoughts. Fully aware of this, Mrs. +Bloundel said nothing of it to her husband, because the subject was +painful to him; and not supposing the passion deeply rooted, she hoped +it would speedily wear away. But she was mistaken--the flame was kept +alive in Amabel's breast in a manner of which she was totally ignorant. +Wyvil found means to deceive the vigilance of the grocer and his wife, +but he could not deceive the vigilance of a jealous lover. Leonard +discovered that his mistress had received a letter. He would not betray +her, but he determined to watch her narrowly. + +Accordingly, when she went forth one morning in company with her younger +sister (a little girl of some five years old), he made an excuse to +follow them, and, keeping within sight, perceived them enter Saint +Paul's Cathedral, the mid aisle of which was then converted into a +public walk, and generally thronged with town gallants, bullies, +bona-robas, cut-purses, and rogues of every description. In short, it +was the haunt of the worst of characters of the metropolis. When, +therefore, Amabel entered this structure, Leonard felt certain it was to +meet her lover. Rushing forward, he saw her take her course through the +crowd, and attract general attention from her loveliness--but he nowhere +discerned Maurice Wyvil. + +Suddenly, however, she struck off to the right, and halted near one of +the pillars, and the apprentice, advancing, detected his rival behind +it. He was whispering a few words in her ear, unperceived by her sister. +Maddened by the sight, Leonard hurried towards them, but before he could +reach the spot Wyvil was gone, and Amabel, though greatly confused, +looked at the same time so indignant, that he almost regretted his +precipitation. + +"You will, of course, make known to my father what you have just seen?" +she said in a low tone. + +"If you will promise not to meet that gallant again without my +knowledge, I will not," replied Leonard. + +After a moment's reflection, Amabel gave the required promise, and they +returned to Wood-street together. Satisfied she would not break her +word, the apprentice became more easy, and as a week elapsed, and +nothing was said to him on the subject, he persuaded himself she would +not attempt to meet her lover again. + +Things were in this state at the opening of our tale, but upon the night +in question, Leonard fancied he discerned some agitation in Amabel's +manner towards him, and in consequence of this notion, he sought to meet +her gaze, as before related, after prayers. While trying to distract his +thoughts by arranging sundry firkins of butter, and putting other things +in order, he heard a light footstep behind him, and turning at the +sound, beheld Amabel. + +"Leonard," she whispered, "I promised to tell you when I should next +meet Maurice Wyvil. He will be here to-night." And without giving him +time to answer, she retired. + +For awhile, Leonard remained in a state almost of stupefaction, +repeating to himself, as if unwilling to believe them, the words he had +just heard. He had not recovered when the grocer entered the shop, and +noticing his haggard looks, kindly inquired if he felt unwell. The +apprentice returned an evasive answer, and half determined to relate all +he knew to his master, but the next moment he changed his intention, +and, influenced by that chivalric feeling which always governs those, of +whatever condition, who love profoundly, resolved not to betray the +thoughtless girl, but to trust to his own ingenuity to thwart the +designs of his rival, and preserve her Acting upon this resolution, he +said he had a slight headache, and instantly resumed his occupation. + +At nine o'clock, the whole family assembled at supper. The board was +plentifully though plainly spread, but the grocer observed, with some +uneasiness, that his apprentice, who had a good appetite in ordinary, +ate little or nothing. He kept his eye constantly upon him, and became +convinced from his manner that something ailed him. Not having any +notion of the truth, and being filled with apprehensions of the plague, +his dread was that Leonard was infected by the disease. Supper was +generally the pleasantest meal of the day at the grocer's house, but on +this occasion it passed off cheerlessly enough, and a circumstance +occurred at its close which threw all into confusion and distress. +Before relating this, however, we must complete our description of the +family under their present aspect. + +Tall, and of a spare frame, with good features, somewhat austere in +their expression, and of the cast which we are apt to term precise and +puritanical, but tempered with great benevolence, Stephen Bloundel had a +keen, deep-seated eye, overshadowed by thick brows, and suffered his +long-flowing grey hair to descend over his shoulders. His forehead was +high and ample, his chin square and well defined, and his general +appearance exceedingly striking. In age he was about fifty. His +integrity and fairness of dealing, never once called in question for a +period of thirty years, had won him the esteem of all who knew him; +while his prudence and economy had enabled him, during that time, to +amass a tolerable fortune. His methodical habits, and strong religious +principles, have been already mentioned. His eldest son was named after +him, and resembled him both in person and character, promising to tread +in his footsteps. The younger sons require little notice at present. One +was twelve, and the other only half that age; but both appeared to +inherit many of their father's good qualities. Basil, the elder, was a +stout, well-grown lad, and had never known a day's ill-health; while +Hubert, the younger, was thin, delicate, and constantly ailing. + +Mrs. Bloundel was a specimen of a city dame of the best kind. She had a +few pardonable vanities, which no arguments could overcome--such as a +little ostentation in dress--a little pride in the neatness of her +house--and a good deal in the beauty of her children, especially in that +of Amabel--as well as in the wealth and high character of her husband, +whom she regarded as the most perfect of human beings. These slight +failings allowed for, nothing but good remained. Her conduct was +exemplary in all the relations of life. The tenderest of mothers, and +the most affectionate of wives, she had as much genuine piety and +strictness of moral principles as her husband. Short, plump, and +well-proportioned, though somewhat, perhaps, exceeding the rules of +symmetry--she had a rich olive complexion, fine black eyes, beaming with +good nature, and an ever-laughing mouth, ornamented by a beautiful set +of teeth. To wind up all, she was a few years younger than her husband. + +Amabel has already been described. The youngest girl, Christiana, was a +pretty little dove-eyed, flaxen-haired child, between four and five +years old, and shared the fate of most younger children, being very much +caressed, and not a little spoiled by her parents. + +The foregoing description of the grocer's family would be incomplete +without some mention of his household. Old Josyna Shotterel, the cook, +who had lived with her master ever since his marriage, and had the +strongest attachment for him, was a hale, stout dame, of about sixty, +with few infirmities for her years, and with less asperity of temper +than generally belongs to servants of her class. She was a native of +Holland, and came to England early in life, where she married Blaize's +father, who died soon after their union. An excellent cook in a plain +way--indeed, she had no practice in any other--she would brew strong ale +and mead, or mix a sack-posset with, any innkeeper in the city. +Moreover, she was a careful and tender nurse, if her services were ever +required in that capacity. The children looked upon her as a second +mother; and her affection for them, which was unbounded, deserved their +regard. She was a perfect storehouse of what are termed "old women's +receipts;" and there were few complaints (except the plague) for which +she did not think herself qualified to prescribe and able to cure. Her +skill in the healing art was often tested by her charitable mistress, +who required her to prepare remedies, as well as nourishing broths, for +such of the poor of the parish as applied to her for relief at times of +sickness. + +Her son, Blaize, was a stout, stumpy fellow, about four feet ten, with a +head somewhat too large for his body, and extremely long arms. Ever +since the plague had broken out in Drury-lane, it haunted him like a +spectre, and scattered the few faculties he possessed. In vain he tried +to combat his alarm--in vain his mother endeavoured to laugh him out of +it. Nothing would do. He read the bills of mortality daily; ascertained +the particulars of every case; dilated upon the agonies of the +sufferers; watched the progress of the infection, and calculated the +time it would take to reach Wood-street. He talked of the pestilence by +day, and dreamed of it at night; and more than once alarmed the house by +roaring for assistance, under the idea that he was suddenly attacked. By +his mother's advice, he steeped rue, wormwood, and sage in his drink, +till it was so abominably nauseous that he could scarcely swallow it, +and carried a small ball in the hollow of his hand, compounded of wax, +angelica, camphor, and other drugs. He likewise chewed a small piece of +Virginian snake-root, or zedoary, if he approached any place supposed to +be infected. A dried toad was suspended round his neck, as an amulet of +sovereign virtue. Every nostrum sold by the quacks in the streets +tempted him; and a few days before, he had expended his last crown in +the purchase of a bottle of plague-water. Being of a superstitious +nature, he placed full faith in all the predictions of the astrologers, +who foretold that London should be utterly laid waste, that grass should +grow in the streets, and that the living should not be able to bury the +dead. He quaked at the terrible denunciations of the preachers, who +exhorted their hearers to repentance, telling them a judgment was at +hand, and shuddered at the wild and fearful prophesying of the insane +enthusiasts who roamed the streets. His nativity having been cast, and +it appearing that he would be in great danger on the 20th of June, he +made up his mind that he should die of the plague on that day. Before he +was assailed by these terrors, he had entertained a sneaking attachment +for Patience, the kitchen-maid, a young and buxom damsel, who had no +especial objection to him. But of late, his love had given way to +apprehension, and his whole thoughts were centred in one idea, namely, +self-preservation. + +By this time supper was over, and the family were about to separate for +the night, when Stephen, the grocer's eldest son, having risen to quit +the room, staggered and complained of a strange dizziness and headache, +which almost deprived him of sight, while his heart palpitated +frightfully. A dreadful suspicion seized his father. He ran towards him, +and assisted him to a seat. Scarcely had the young man reached it, when +a violent sickness seized him; a greenish-coloured froth appeared at the +mouth, and he began to grow delirious. Guided by the convulsive efforts +of the sufferer, Bloundel tore off his clothes, and after a moment's +search, perceived under the left arm a livid pustule. He uttered a cry +of anguish. His son was plague-stricken. + + + + +II. THE COFFIN-MAKER. + +The first shock over, the grocer bore the affliction manfully, and like +one prepared for it. Exhibiting little outward emotion, though his heart +was torn with anguish, and acting with the utmost calmness, he forbade +his wife to approach the sufferer, and desired her instantly to retire +to her own room with her daughters; and not to leave it on any +consideration whatever, without his permission. + +Accustomed to regard her husband's word as law, Mrs. Bloundel, for the +first time in her life, disputed his authority, and, falling on her +knees, besought him, with tears in her eyes, to allow her to nurse her +son. But he remained inflexible, and she was forced to comply. + +He next gave similar directions to old Josyna respecting his two younger +sons, with this difference only, that when they were put to rest, and +the door was locked upon them, she was to return to the kitchen and +prepare a posset-drink of canary and spirits of sulphur, together with a +poultice of mallows, lily-roots, figs, linseed, and palm-oil, for the +patient. + +These orders given and obeyed, with Leonard Holt's assistance-for +Blaize, who had crept into a corner, in extremity of terror, was wholly +incapable of rendering any help-he conveyed his son to the adjoining +room, on the ground floor, where there was a bed, and placing him within +it, heaped blankets upon him to promote profuse perspiration, while the +apprentice lighted a fire. + +Provided with the most efficacious remedies for the distemper, and +acquainted with the mode of treating it prescribed by the College of +Physicians, Bloundel was at no loss how to act, but, rubbing the part +affected with a stimulating ointment, he administered at the same time +doses of mithridate, Venice treacle, and other potent alexipharmics. + +He had soon the satisfaction of perceiving that his son became somewhat +easier; and after swallowing the posset-drink prepared by old Josyna, +who used all the expedition she could, a moisture broke out upon the +youth's skin, and appeared to relieve him so much, that, but for the +ghastly paleness of his countenance, and the muddy look of his eye, his +father would have indulged a hope of his recovery. + +Up to this time, the grocer had acted for himself, and felt confident he +had acted rightly; but he now deemed it expedient to call in advice, +and, accordingly, commissioned his apprentice to fetch Doctor Hodges, a +physician, residing in Great Knightrider-street, Doctors' Commons, who +had recently acquired considerable reputation for his skilful treatment +of those attacked by the plague, and who (it may be incidentally +mentioned) afterwards gave to the medical world a curious account of the +ravages of the disorder, as well as of his own professional experiences +during this terrible period. He likewise told him--and he could not +repress a sigh as he did so--to give notice to the Examiner of Health +(there were one or two officers, so designated, appointed to every +parish, at this awful season, by the city authorities) that his house +was infected. + +While preparing to set out, Leonard again debated with himself whether +he should acquaint his master with Maurice Wyvil's meditated visit. But +conceiving it wholly impossible that Amabel could leave her mother's +room, even if she were disposed to do so, he determined to let the +affair take its course. On his way to the shop, he entered a small room +occupied by Blaize, and found him seated near a table, with his hands +upon his knees, and his eyes fixed upon the ground, looking the very +image of despair. The atmosphere smelt like that of an apothecary's +shop, and was so overpowering, that Leonard could scarcely breathe. The +table was covered with pill-boxes and phials, most of which were +emptied, and a dim light was afforded by a candle with a most portentous +crest of snuff. + +"So you have been poisoning yourself, I perceive," observed Leonard, +approaching him. + +"Keep off!" cried the porter, springing suddenly to his feet. "Don't +touch me, I say. Poisoning myself! I have taken three rufuses, or +pestilential pills; two spoonfuls of alexiteral water; the same quantity +of anti-pestilential decoction; half as much of Sir Theodore Mayerne's +electuary; and a large dose of orvietan. Do you call that poisoning +myself? I call it taking proper precaution, and would recommend you to +do the same. Beside this, I have sprinkled myself with vinegar, +fumigated my clothes, and rubbed my nose, inside and out, till it +smarted so intolerably, I was obliged to desist, with balsam of +sulphur." + +"Well, well, if you don't escape the plague, it won't be your fault," +returned Leonard, scarcely able to refrain from laughing. "But I have +something to tell you before I go." + +"What is the matter?" demanded Blaize, in alarm. "Where--where are you +going?" + +"To fetch the doctor," replied Leonard. + +"Is Master Stephen worse?" rejoined the porter. + +"On the contrary, I hope he is better," replied Leonard "I shall be back +directly, but as I have to give notice to the Examiner of Health that +the house is infected, I may be detained a few minutes longer than I +anticipate. Keep the street-door locked; I will fasten the yard-gate, +and do not for your life let any one in, except Doctor Hodges, till I +return. Do you hear?--do you understand what I say?" + +"Yes, I hear plain enough," growled Blaize. "You say that the house is +infected, and that we shall all be locked up." + +"Dolt!" exclaimed the apprentice, "I said no such thing." And he +repeated his injunctions, but Blaize was too much terrified to +comprehend them. At last, losing all patience, Leonard cried in a +menacing tone, "If you do not attend to me, I will cudgel you within an +inch of your life, and you will find the thrashing harder to bear even +than the plague itself. Rouse yourself, fool, and follow me." + +Accompanied by the porter, he hurried to the yard-gate, saw it bolted +within-side, and then returned to the shop, where, having found his cap +and cudgel, he directed Blaize to lock the door after him, cautioning +him, for the third time, not to admit any one except the doctor. "If I +find, on my return, that you have neglected my injunctions," he +concluded, "as sure as I now stand before you, I'll break every bone in +your body." + +Blaize promised obedience, adding in a supplicating tone, "Leonard, if I +were you, I would not go to the Examiner of Health. Poor Stephen may not +have the plague, after all. It's a dreadful thing to be imprisoned for a +month, for that's the time appointed by the Lord Mayor. Only a week ago +I passed several houses in Holborn, shut up on account of the plague, +with a watchman at the door, and I never shall forget the melancholy +faces I saw at the windows. It was a dreadful spectacle, and has haunted +me ever since." + +"It cannot be helped," rejoined Leonard, with a sigh. "If we disobey the +Lord Mayor's orders, and neglect giving information, we shall all be +sent to Newgate, while poor Stephen will be taken to the pest-house. +Besides, the searchers will be here before morning. They are sure to +learn what has happened from Doctor Hodges." + +"True, true," replied Blaize; "I had forgotten that. Let me go with you, +dear Leonard. I dare not remain here longer." + +"What! would you leave your kind good master, at a time like this, when +he most needs your services?" rejoined Leonard, reproachfully. "Out, +cowardly hound! I am ashamed of you. Shake off your fears, and be a man. +You can but die once; and what matters it whether you die of the plague +or the cholic?" + +"It matters a great deal," replied Blaize. "I am afraid of nothing but +the plague. I am sure I shall be its next victim in this house. But you +are right--I cannot desert my kind master, nor my old mother. Farewell, +Leonard. Perhaps we may never meet again. I may be dead before you come +back. I feel very ill already." + +"No wonder, after all the stuff you have swallowed," returned Leonard. +"But pluck up your courage, or you will bring on the very thing you are +anxious to avoid. As many people have died from fear as from any other +cause. One word before I go. If any one should get into the house by +scaling the yard-wall, or through the window, instantly alarm our +master." + +"Certainly," returned Blaize, with a look of surprise, "But do you +expect any one to enter the house in that way?" + +"Ask no questions, but do as I bid you," rejoined Leonard, opening the +door, and about to go forth. + +"Stop a moment," cried Blaize, detaining him, and drawing from his +pocket a handful of simples. "Won't you take some of them with you to +guard against infection? There's wormwood, woodsorrel, masterwort, +zedoary, and angelica; and lastly, there is a little bottle of the +sovereign preservative against the plague, as prepared by the great Lord +Bacon, and approved by Queen Elizabeth. Won't you take _that_?" + +"I have no fear," replied Leonard, shutting the door in his face. And as +he lingered for a moment while it was locked, he heard Blaize say to +himself, "I must go and take three more rufuses and a large dose of +diascordium." + +It was a bright moonlight night, and as the apprentice turned to depart, +he perceived a figure hastily retreating on the other side of the way. +Making sure it was Maurice Wyvil, though he could not distinguish the +garb of the person--that side of the street being in the shade--and +stung by jealousy, he immediately started in pursuit. The fugitive +struck down Lad-lane, and run on till he came to the end of +Lawrence-lane, where, finding himself closely pressed, he suddenly +halted, and pulling his hat over his brows to conceal his features, +fiercely confronted his pursuer. + +"Why do you follow me thus, rascal?" he cried, drawing his sword. "Would +you rob me? Begone, or I will call the watch." + +"It _is_ his voice!" cried the apprentice. "I have news for you, Mr. +Maurice Wyvil. You will not see Amabel to-night. The plague is in her +father's house." + +"The plague!" exclaimed Wyvil, in an altered tone, and dropping the +point of his sword. "Is she smitten by it?" + +The apprentice answered by a bitter laugh, and without tarrying longer +to enjoy his rival's distress, set off towards Cheapside. Before +reaching the end of Lawrence-lane, however, he half-repented his +conduct, and halted to see whether Wyvil was following him; but as he +could perceive nothing of him, he continued his course. + +Entering Cheapside, he observed, to his surprise, a crowd of persons +collected near the Cross, then standing a little to the east of +Wood-street. This cross, which was of great antiquity, and had undergone +many mutilations and alterations since its erection in 1486, when it +boasted, amongst other embellishments, images of the Virgin and Saint +Edward the Confessor, was still not without some pretensions to +architectural beauty. In form it was hexagonal, and composed of three +tiers, rising from one another like the divisions of a telescope, each +angle being supported by a pillar surmounted by a statue, while the +intervening niches were filled up with sculptures, intended to represent +some of the sovereigns of England. The structure was of considerable +height, and crowned by a large gilt cross. Its base was protected by a +strong wooden railing. About a hundred yards to the east, there stood a +smaller hexagonal tower, likewise ornamented with carvings, and having a +figure on its conical summit blowing a horn. This was the Conduit. +Midway between these buildings the crowd alluded to above was collected. + +As Leonard drew near, he found the assemblage was listening to the +exhortations of an enthusiast, whom he instantly recognised from a +description he had heard of him from Blaize. The name of this +half-crazed being was Solomon Eagle. Originally a Quaker, upon the +outbreak of the plague he had abandoned his home and friends, and roamed +the streets at night, denouncing doom to the city. He was a tall gaunt +man, with long jet-black hair hanging in disordered masses over his +shoulders. His eyes were large and black, and blazed with insane lustre, +and his looks were so wild and terrific, that it required no great +stretch of imagination to convert him into the genius of the pestilence. +Entirely stripped of apparel except that his loins were girt with a +sheep-skin, in imitation of Saint John in the Wilderness, he bore upon +his head a brazier of flaming coals, the lurid light of which falling +upon his sable locks and tawny skin, gave him an unearthly appearance. + +Impelled by curiosity, Leonard paused for a moment to listen, and heard +him thunder forth the following denunciation:--"And now, therefore, as +the prophet Jeremiah saith, 'I have this day declared it to you, but ye +have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, nor anything for the +which he hath sent me unto you. Now, therefore, know certainly that ye +shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.' Again, in +the words of the prophet Amos, the Lord saith unto YOU by my mouth, 'I +have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt, yet have +you not returned unto me. Therefore, will I do this unto thee, O Israel; +and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God?' Do you +hear this, O sinners? God will proceed against you in the day of His +wrath, though He hath borne with you in the day of His patience? O how +many hundred years hath He spared this city, notwithstanding its great +provocations and wickedness! But now He will no longer show it pity, but +will pour out His wrath upon it I Plagues shall come upon it, and +desolation; and it shall be utterly burnt with fire,--for strong is the +Lord who judgeth it!" + +His address concluded, the enthusiast started off at a swift pace, +shrieking, in a voice that caused many persons to throw open their +windows to listen to him, "Awake! sinners, awake'--the plague is at +your doors!--the grave yawns for you!--awake, and repent!" And followed +by the crowd, many of whom kept up with him, he ran on vociferating in +this manner till he was out of hearing. + +Hurrying forward in the opposite direction, Leonard glanced at the +ancient and picturesque houses on either side of the way,--now bathed +in the moonlight, and apparently hushed in repose and security,--and he +could not repress a shudder as he reflected that an evil angel was, +indeed, abroad, who might suddenly arouse their slumbering inmates to +despair and death. His thoughts took another turn as he entered the +precincts of Saint Paul's, and surveyed the venerable and majestic +fabric before him. His eyes rested upon its innumerable crocketed +pinnacles, its buttresses, its battlements, and upon the magnificent +rose-window terminating the choir. The apprentice had no especial love +for antiquity, but being of an imaginative turn, the sight of this +reverend structure conjured up old recollections, and brought to mind +the noble Collegiate Church of his native town. + +"Shall I ever see Manchester again?" he sighed: "shall I take Amabel +with me there? Alas! I doubt it. If I survive the plague, she, I fear, +will never be mine." + +Musing thus, he scanned the roof of the cathedral, and noticing its +stunted central tower, could not help thinking how much more striking +its effects must have been, when the lofty spire it once supported was +standing. The spire, it may be remarked, was twice destroyed by +lightning; first in February, 1444, and subsequently in June, 1561, when +it was entirely burnt down, and never rebuilt. Passing the Convocation +House, which then stood at one side of the southern transept, Leonard +struck down Paul's Chain, and turning to the right, speeded along Great +Knightrider-street, until he reached an old habitation at the corner of +the passage leading to Doctors' Commons. + +Knocking at the door, an elderly servant presently appeared, and in +answer to his inquiries whether Doctor Hodges was at home, stated that +he had gone out, about half an hour ago, to attend Mr. Fisher, a +proctor, who had been suddenly attacked by the plague at his residence +in Bartholomew-close, near Smithfield. + +"I am come on the same errand," said Leonard, "and must see your master +instantly." + +"If you choose to go to Bartholomew-close," replied the servant, "you +may probably meet with him. Mr. Fisher's house is the last but two, on +the right, before you come to the area in front of the church." + +"I can easily find it," returned Leonard, "and will run there as fast as +I can. But if your master should pass me on the road, beseech him to go +instantly to Stephen Bloundell's, the grocer, in Wood-street." + +The servant assenting, Leonard hastily retraced his steps, and +traversing Blow-bladder-street and Saint-Martin's-le-Grand, passed +through Aldersgate. He then shaped his course through the windings of +Little Britain and entered Duck-lane. He was now in a quarter fearfully +assailed by the pestilence. Most of the houses had the fatal sign upon +their doors--a red cross, of a foot long, with the piteous words above +it, "Lord have mercy upon us," in characters so legible that they could +be easily distinguished by the moonlight, while a watchman, with a +halberd in his hand, kept guard outside. + +Involuntarily drawing in his breath, Leonard quickened his pace. But he +met with an unexpected and fearful interruption. Just as he reached the +narrow passage leading from Duck-lane to Bartholomew-close, he heard the +ringing of a bell, followed by a hoarse voice, crying, "Bring out your +dead--bring out your dead!" he then perceived that a large, +strangely-shaped cart stopped up the further end of the passage, and +heard a window open, and a voice call out that all was ready. The next +moment a light was seen at the door, and a coffin was brought out and +placed in the cart. This done, the driver, who was smoking a pipe, +cracked his whip, and put the vehicle in motion. + +Shrinking into a doorway, and holding a handkerchief to his face, to +avoid breathing the pestilential effluvia, Leonard saw that there were +other coffins in the cart, and that it was followed by two persons in +long black cloaks. The vehicle itself, fashioned like an open hearse, +and of the same sombre colour, relieved by fantastical designs, painted +in white, emblematic of the pestilence, was drawn by a horse of the +large black Flanders breed, and decorated with funeral trappings. To +Leonard's inexpressible horror, the cart again stopped opposite him, and +the driver ringing his bell, repeated his doleful cry. While another +coffin was brought out, and placed with the rest, a window in the next +house was opened, and a woman looking forth screamed, "Is Anselm +Chowles, the coffin-maker, there?" + +"Yes, here I am, Mother Malmayns," replied one of the men in black +cloaks, looking up as he spoke, and exhibiting features so hideous, and +stamped with such a revolting expression, that Leonard's blood curdled +at the sight. "What do you want with me?" he added. + +"I want you to carry away old Mike Norborough," replied the woman. + +"What, is the old miser gone at last?" exclaimed Chowles, with an +atrocious laugh. "But how shall I get paid for a coffin?" + +"You may pay yourself with what you can find in the house," replied +Mother Malmayns; "or you may carry him to the grave without one, if you +prefer it." + +"No, no, that won't do," returned Chowles. "I've other customers to +attend to who _will_ pay; and, besides, I want to get home. I expect +friends at supper. Good-night, Mother Malmayns. You know where to find +me, if you want me. Move on, Jonas, or you will never reach Saint +Sepulchre's." + +The woman angrily expostulated with him, and some further parley +ensued,--Leonard did not tarry to hear what, but rushing past them, +gained Bartholomew-close. + +He soon reached the proctor's house, and found it marked with the fatal +cross. Addressing a watchman at the door, he learnt, to his great +dismay, that Doctor Hodges had been gone more than a quarter of an hour. +"He was too late," said the man. "Poor Mr. Fisher had breathed his last +before he arrived, and after giving some directions to the family as to +the precautions they ought to observe, the doctor departed." + +"How unfortunate!" exclaimed Leonard, "I have missed him a second time. +But I will run back to his house instantly." + +"You will not find him at home," returned the watchman "He is gone to +Saint Paul's, to attend a sick person." + +"To Saint Paul's at this hour!" cried the apprentice. "Why, no one is +there, except the vergers or the sexton." + +"He is gone to visit the sexton, who is ill of the plague," replied the +watchman. "I have told you all I know about him. You can do what you +think best." + +Determined to make another effort before giving in, Leonard hurried back +as fast as he could. While threading Duck-lane, he heard the doleful +bell again, and perceived the dead-cart standing before a house, from +which two small coffins were brought. Hurrying past the vehicle, he +remarked that its load was fearfully increased, but that the +coffin-maker and his companion had left it. Another minute had not +elapsed before he reached Aldersgate, and passing through the postern, +he beheld a light at the end of Saint Anne's-lane, and heard the +terrible voice of Solomon Eagle, calling to the sleepers to awake and +repent. + +Shutting his ears to the cry, Leonard did not halt till he reached the +great western door of the cathedral, against which he knocked. His first +summons remaining unanswered, he repeated it, and a wicket was then +opened by a grey-headed verger, with a lantern in his hand, who at first +was very angry at being disturbed; but on learning whom the applicant +was in search of, and that the case was one of urgent necessity, he +admitted that the doctor was in the cathedral at the time. + +"Or rather, I should say," he added, "he is in Saint Faith's. I will +conduct you to him, if you think proper. Doctor Hodges is a good man,--a +charitable man," he continued, "and attends the poor for nothing. He is +now with Matthew Malmayns, the sexton, who was taken ill of the plague +yesterday, and will get nothing but thanks--if he gets those--for his +fee. But, follow me, young man, follow me." + +So saying, he shut the wicket, and led the way along the transept. The +path was uneven, many of the flags having been removed, and the verger +often paused to throw a light upon the ground, and warn his companion of +a hole. + +On arriving at the head of the nave, Leonard cast his eyes down it, and +was surprised at the magical effect of the moonlight upon its +magnificent avenue of pillars; the massive shafts on the left being +completely illuminated by the silvery beams, while those on the right +lay in deep shadow. + +"Ay, it is a noble structure," replied the old verger, noticing his look +of wonder and admiration, "and, like many a proud human being, has known +better days. It has seen sad changes in my time, for I recollect it when +good Queen Bess ruled the land. But come along, young man,--you have +something else to think of now." + +Bestowing a momentary glance upon the matchless choir, with its groined +roof, its clerestory windows, its arched openings, its carved stalls, +and its gorgeous rose-window, Leonard followed his conductor through a +small doorway on the left of the southern transept, and descending a +flight of stone steps, entered a dark and extensive vault, for such it +seemed. The feeble light of the lantern fell upon ranks of short heavy +pillars, supporting a ponderous arched roof. + +"You are now in Saint Faith's," observed the verger, "and above you is +the choir of Saint Paul's." + +Leonard took no notice of the remark, but silently crossing the nave of +this beautiful subterranean church (part of which still exists), +traversed its northern aisle. At length the verger stopped before the +entrance of a small chapel, once dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, +but now devoted to a less sacred purpose. As they advanced, Leonard +observed a pile of dried skulls and bones in one corner, a stone coffin, +strips of woollen shrouds, fragments of coffins, mattocks, and spades. +It was evidently half a charnel, half a receptacle for the sexton's +tools. + +"If you choose to open that door," said the verger, pointing to one at +the lower end of the chamber, "you will find him you seek. I shall go no +further." + +Summoning up all his resolution, Leonard pushed open the door. A +frightful scene met his gaze. At one side of a deep, low-roofed vault, +the architecture of which was of great antiquity, and showed that it had +been a place of burial, was stretched a miserable pallet, and upon it, +covered by a single blanket, lay a wretch, whose groans and struggles +proclaimed the anguish he endured. A lamp was burning on the floor, and +threw a sickly light upon the agonized countenance of the sufferer. He +was a middle-aged man, with features naturally harsh, but which now, +contracted by pain, had assumed a revolting expression. An old crone, +who proved to be his mother, and a young man, who held him down in bed +by main force, tended him. He was rambling in a frightful manner; and as +his ravings turned upon the most loathly matters, it required some +firmness to listen to them. + +At a little distance from him, upon a bench, sat a stout, +shrewd-looking, but benevolent little personage, somewhat between forty +and fifty. This was Doctor Hodges. He had a lancet in his hand, with +which he had just operated upon the sufferer, and he was in the act of +wiping it on a cloth. As Leonard entered the vault, the doctor observed +to the attendants of the sick man, "He will recover. The tumour has +discharged its venom. Keep him as warm as you can, and do not let him +leave his bed for two days. All depends upon that. I will send him +proper medicines and some blankets shortly. If he takes cold, it will be +fatal." + +The young man promised to attend to the doctor's injunctions, and the +old woman mumbled her thanks. + +"Where is Judith Malmayns?" asked Doctor Hodges: "I am surprised not to +see her. Is she afraid of the distemper?" + +"Afraid of it!--not she," replied the old woman. "Since the plague has +raged so dreadfully, she has gone out as a nurse to the sick, and my +poor son has seen nothing of her." + +Leonard then recollected that he had heard the woman, who called out of +the miser's house, addressed as Mother Malmayns by the coffin-maker, and +had no doubt that she was the sexton's wife. His entrance having been so +noiseless that it passed unnoticed, he now stepped forward, and, +addressing Doctor Hodges, acquainted him with his errand. + +"What!" exclaimed the doctor, as soon as he concluded, "a son of Stephen +Bloundel, the worthy grocer of Wood-street, attacked by the plague! I +will go with you instantly, young man. I have a great regard for your +master--a very great regard. There is not a better man living. The poor +lad must be saved, if possible." And hastily repeating his instructions +to the attendants of the sick man, he left the vault with the +apprentice. + +They found the verger in the charnel, and before quitting it, the doctor +drew a small flask of canary from his pocket, and applied it to his +lips. + +"This is my anti-pestilential drink," he remarked with a smile, "and it +has preserved me from contagion hitherto. You must let us out of the +south door, friend," he added to the verger, "for I shall be obliged to +step home for a moment, and it will save time. Come with me, young man, +and tell me what has been done for the grocer's son." + +As they traversed the gloomy aisle of Saint Faith, and mounted to the +upper structure, Leonard related all that had taken place since poor +Stephen's seizure. The doctor strongly expressed his approval of what +had been done, and observed, "It could not be better. With Heaven's +help, I have no doubt we shall save him, and I am truly glad of it for +his father's sake." + +By this time they had reached the southern door, and the verger having +unlocked it, they issued forth. It was still bright moonlight, and +Leonard, whose mind was greatly relieved by the assurances of the +physician, felt in some degree reconciled to the delay, and kept up his +part in the conversation promoted by his companion. The doctor, who was +an extremely kind-hearted man, and appeared to have a great regard for +the grocer, made many inquiries as to his family, and spoke in terms of +the highest admiration of the beauty of his eldest daughter. The mention +of Amabel's name, while it made Leonard's cheek burn, rekindled all his +jealousy of Wyvil, and he tried to make some excuse to get away, but his +companion would not hear of it. + +"I tell you there is no hurry," said the doctor; "all is going on as +well as possible. I will make your excuses to your master." + +"On reaching the doctor's house they were ushered into a large room, +surrounded with bookshelves and cases of anatomical preparations. Hodges +seated himself at a table, on which a shaded lamp was placed, and +writing out a prescription, desired his servant to get it made up at a +neighbouring apothecary's, and to take it, with a couple of blankets, to +the sexton of Saint Paul's. He then produced a bottle of medicated +canary, and pouring out a large glass for the apprentice, drained +another himself. + +"I will answer for its virtue," he said: "it is a sure preservative +against the plague." + +Having furnished himself with several small packets of simples, a few +pots of ointment, one or two phials, and a case of surgical instruments, +he told Leonard he was ready to attend him. + +"We will go round by Warwick-lane," he added. "I must call upon Chowles, +the coffin-maker. It will not detain us a moment; and I have an order to +give him." + +The mention of this name brought to Leonard's mind the hideous attendant +on the dead-cart, and he had no doubt he was the person in question. It +did not become him, however, to make a remark, and they set out. + +Mounting Addle-hill, and threading Ave-Maria-lane, they entered +Warwick-lane, and about half-way up the latter thoroughfare, the doctor +stopped before a shop, bearing on its immense projecting sign the +representation of a coffin lying in state, and covered with scutcheons, +underneath which was written, "ANSELM CHOWLES, COFFIN-MAKER." + +"I do not think you will find Mr. Chowles at home," observed Leonard: +"for I saw him with the dead-cart not half an hour ago." + +"Very likely," returned the doctor; "but I shall see one of his men. The +coffin-maker's business is now carried on in the night time," he added, +with a sigh; "and he drives a flourishing trade. These sad times will +make his fortune." + +As he spoke, he rapped with his cane at the door, which, after a little +delay, was opened by a young man in a carpenter's dress, with a hammer +in his hand. On seeing who it was, this person exhibited great +confusion, and would have retired; but the doctor, pushing him aside, +asked for his master. + +"You cannot see him just now, sir," replied the other, evidently +considerably embarrassed. "He is just come home greatly fatigued, and is +about to retire to rest." + +"No matter," returned the doctor, entering a room, in which three or +four other men were at work, hastily finishing coffins; "I _must_ see +him." + +No further opposition being offered, Hodges, followed by the apprentice, +marched towards an inner room. Just as he reached the door, a burst of +loud laughter, evidently proceeding from a numerous party, arose from +within, and a harsh voice was heard chanting the following strains: + +SONG OF THE PLAGUE. +To others the Plague a foe may be, +To me 'tis a friend--not an enemy; +My coffins and coffers alike it fills, +And the richer I grow the more it kills. +_Drink the Plague! Drink the Plague!_ + +For months, for years, may it spend its rage +On lusty manhood and trembling age; +Though half mankind of the scourge should die, +My coffins will sell--so what care I? +_Drink the Plague! Drink the Plague!_ + +Loud acclamations followed the song, and the doctor, who was filled with +disgust and astonishment, opened the door. He absolutely recoiled at the +scene presented to his gaze. In the midst of a large room, the sides of +which were crowded with coffins, piled to the very ceiling, sat about a +dozen personages, with pipes in their mouths, and flasks and glasses +before them. Their seats were coffins, and their table was a coffin set +upon a bier. Perched on a pyramid of coffins, gradually diminishing in +size as the pile approached its apex, Chowles was waving a glass in one +hand, and a bottle in the other, when the doctor made his appearance. + +A more hideous personage cannot be imagined than the coffin-maker. He +was clothed in a suit of rusty black, which made his skeleton limbs look +yet more lean and cadaverous. His head was perfectly bald, and its +yellow skin, divested of any artificial covering, glistened like +polished ivory. His throat was long and scraggy, and supported a head +unrivalled for ugliness. His nose had been broken in his youth, and was +almost compressed flat with his face. His few remaining teeth were +yellow and discoloured with large gaps between them. His eyes were +bright, and set in deep cavernous recesses, and, now that he was more +than half-intoxicated, gleamed with unnatural lustre. The friends by +whom he was surrounded were congenial spirits,--searchers, watchmen, +buriers, apothecaries, and other wretches, who, like himself, rejoiced +in the pestilence, because it was a source of profit to them. + +At one corner of the room, with a part-emptied glass before her, and +several articles in her lap, which she hastily pocketed on the entrance +of the doctor, sat the plague-nurse, Mother Malmayns; and Leonard +thought her, if possible, more villainous-looking than her companions. +She was a rough, raw-boned woman, with sandy hair and light brows, a +sallow, freckled complexion, a nose with wide nostrils, and a large, +thick-lipped mouth. She had, moreover, a look of mingled cunning and +ferocity inexpressibly revolting. + +Sharply rebuking Chowles, who, in springing from his lofty seat, upset +several of the topmost coffins, the doctor gave him some directions, +and, turning to the nurse, informed her of her husband's condition, and +ordered her to go to him immediately. Mother Malmayns arose, and glancing +significantly at the coffin-maker, took her departure. + +Repeating his injunctions to Chowles in a severe tone, the doctor +followed; and seeing her take the way towards Saint Paul's, proceeded at +a brisk pace along Paternoster-row with the apprentice. In a few minutes +they reached Wood-street, and knocking at the door, were admitted by +Blaize. + +"Heaven be praised, you are come at last!" exclaimed the porter. "Our +master began to think something had happened to you." + +"It is all my fault," returned Doctor Hodges; "but how is the young +man?" + +"Better, much better, as I understand," replied Blaize; "but I have not +seen him." + +"Come, that's well," rejoined Hodges. "Lead me to his room." + +"Leonard will show you the way," returned the porter, holding back. + +Glancing angrily at Blaize, the apprentice conducted the doctor to the +inner room, where they found the grocer, with the Bible on his knee, +watching by the bedside of his son. He was delighted with their +appearance, but looked inquisitively at his apprentice for some +explanation of his long absence. This Hodges immediately gave; and, +having examined the sufferer, he relieved the anxious father by +declaring, that, with due care, he had little doubt of his son's +recovery. + +"God be praised!" exclaimed Bloundel, falling on his knees. + +Hodges then gave minute directions to the grocer as to how he was to +proceed, and told him it would be necessary for some time to keep his +family separate. To this Bloundel readily agreed. The doctor's next +inquiries were, whether notice had been given to the Examiner of Health, +and the grocer referring to Leonard, the latter acknowledged that he had +forgotten it, but undertook to repair his omission at once. + +With this view, he quitted the room, and was hastening towards the shop, +when he observed a figure on the back stairs. Quickly mounting them, he +overtook on the landing Maurice Wyvil. + +* * * * * + + + + +III. THE GAMESTER AND THE BULLY. + +Before proceeding further, it will be necessary to retrace our steps for +a short time, and see what was done by Maurice Wyvil after the alarming +announcement made to him by the apprentice. Of a selfish nature and +ungovernable temper, and seeking only in the pursuit of the grocer's +daughter the gratification of his lawless desires, he was filled, in the +first instance, with furious disappointment at being robbed of the +prize, at the very moment he expected it to fall into his hands. But +this feeling was quickly effaced by anxiety respecting his mistress, +whose charms, now that there was every probability of losing her (for +Leonard's insinuation had led him to believe she was assailed by the +pestilence), appeared doubly attractive to him; and scarcely under the +governance of reason, he hurried towards Wood-street, resolved to force +his way into the house, and see her again, at all hazards. His wild +design, however, was fortunately prevented. As he passed the end of the +court leading to the ancient inn (for it was ancient even at the time of +this history), the Swan-with-two-Necks, in Lad-lane, a young man, as +richly attired as himself, and about his own age, who had seen him +approaching, suddenly darted from it, and grasping his cloak, detained +him. + +"I thought it must be you, Wyvil," cried this person. "Where are you +running so quickly? I see neither angry father, nor jealous apprentice, +at your heels. What has become of the girl? Are you tired of her +already?" + +"Let me go, Lydyard," returned Wyvil, trying to extricate himself from +his companion's hold, who was no other than the gallant that had +accompanied him on his first visit to the grocer's shop, and had played +his part so adroitly in the scheme devised between them to procure an +interview with Amabel,--"let me go, I say, I am in no mood for jesting." + +"Why, what the plague is the matter?" rejoined Lydyard. "Has your +mistress played you false? Have you lost your wager?" + +"The plague _is_ the matter," replied Wyvil, sternly. "Amabel is +attacked by it. I must see her instantly." + +"The devil!" exclaimed Lydyard. "Here is a pretty termination to the +affair. But if this is really the case, you must _not_ see her. It is +one thing to be run through the arm,--which you must own I managed as +dexterously as the best master of fence could have done,--and lose a few +drops of blood for a mistress, but it is another to brave the plague on +her account." + +"I care for nothing," replied Wyvil; "I _will_ see her." + +"This is madness!" remonstrated Lydyard, still maintaining his grasp. +"What satisfaction will it afford you to witness her sufferings--to see +the frightful ravages made upon her charms by this remorseless +disease,--to throw her whole family into consternation, and destroy the +little chance she may have of recovery, by your presence? What good will +this do? No,--you must pay your wager to Sedley, and forget her." + +"I cannot forget her," replied Wyvil. "My feelings have undergone a +total change. If I _am_ capable of real love, it is for her." + +"Real love!" exclaimed Lydyard, in an incredulous tone. "If the subject +were not too serious, I should laugh in your face. No doubt you would +marry her, and abandon your design upon the rich heiress, pretty +Mistress Mallet, whom old Rowley recommended to your attention, and whom +the fair Stewart has more than half-won for you?" + +"I would," replied the other, energetically. + +"Nay, then, you are more insane than I thought you," rejoined Lydyard, +relinquishing his hold; "and the sooner you take the plague the better. +It may cure your present brain fever. I shall go back to Parravicin, and +the others. You will not require my assistance further." + +"I know not," replied Wyvil, distractedly; "I have not yet given up my +intention of carrying off the girl." + +"If you carry her oft in this state," rejoined the other, "it must be to +the pest-house. But who told you she was attacked by the plague?" + +"Her father's apprentice," replied Wyvil. + +"And you believed him?" demanded Lydyard, with a derisive laugh. + +"Undoubtedly," replied Wyvil. "Why not?" + +"Because it is evidently a mere trick to frighten you from the house," +rejoined Lydyard. "I am surprised so shallow a device should succeed +with _you_." + +"I wish I could persuade myself it was a trick," returned Wyvil. "But +the fellow's manner convinced me he was in earnest." + +"Well, I will not dispute the point, though I am sure I am right," +returned Lydyard. "But be not too precipitate. Since the apprentice has +seen you, some alteration may be necessary in your plans. Come with me +into the house. A few minutes can make no difference." + +Wyvil suffered himself to be led up the court, and passing through a +door on the left, they entered a spacious room, across which ran a long +table, furnished at one end with wine and refreshments, and at the other +with cards and dice. + +Three persons were seated at the table, the most noticeable of whom was +a dissipated-looking young man, dressed in the extremity of the +prevailing mode, with ruffles of the finest colbertine, three inches in +depth, at his wrists; a richly-laced cravat round his throat; white silk +hose, adorned with gold clocks; velvet shoes of the same colour as the +hose, fastened with immense roses; a silver-hilted sword, supported by a +broad embroidered silk band; and a cloak and doublet of +carnation-coloured velvet, woven with gold, and decorated with +innumerable glittering points and ribands. He had a flowing wig of +flaxen hair, and a broad-leaved hat, looped with a diamond buckle, and +placed negligently on the left side of his head. His figure was slight, +but extremely well formed; and his features might have been termed +handsome, but for their reckless and licentious expression. He was +addressed by his companions as Sir Paul Parravicin. + +The person opposite to him, whose name was Disbrowe, and who was +likewise a very handsome young man, though his features were flushed and +disturbed, partly by the wine he had drunk, and partly by his losses at +play, was equipped in the splendid accoutrements of a captain in the +king's body-guard. His left hand convulsively clutched an empty purse, +and his eyes were fixed upon a large sum of money, which he had just +handed over to the knight, and which the latter was carelessly +transferring to his pocket. + +The last of the three, whose looks betrayed his character--that of a +sharper and a bully--called himself Major Pillichody, his pretensions to +military rank being grounded upon his service (so ran his own statement, +though it was never clearly substantiated) in the king's army during the +civil wars. Major Pillichody was a man of remarkably fierce exterior. +Seamed with many scars, and destitute of the left eye, the orifice of +which was covered, with a huge black patch; his face was of a deep +mulberry colour, clearly attesting his devotion to the bottle; while his +nose, which was none of the smallest, was covered with "bubukles, and +whelks, and knobs, and flames of fire." He was of the middle size, +stoutly built, and given to corpulency, though not so much so as to +impair his activity. His attire consisted of a cloak and doublet of +scarlet cloth, very much stained and tarnished, and edged with gold +lace, likewise the worse for wear; jack-boots, with huge funnel tops; +spurs, with enormous rowels, and a rapier of preposterous length. He +wore his own hair, which was swart and woolly, like that of a negro; and +had beard and moustaches to match. His hat was fiercely cocked; his +gestures swaggering and insolent; and he was perpetually racking his +brain to invent new and extra-ordinary oaths. + +"So soon returned!" cried Parravicin, as Wyvil appeared. "Accept my +congratulations?" + +"And mine!" cried Pillichody. "We wild fellows have but to be seen to +conquer. Sugar and spice, and all that's nice!" he added, smacking his +lips, as he filled a glass from a long-necked bottle on the table; "May +the grocer's daughter prove sweeter than her father's plums, and more +melting than his butter! Is she without? Are we to see her?" + +Wyvil made no answer, but, walking to the other end of the room, threw +himself into a chair, and, covering his face with his hands, appeared +wrapped in thought. Lydyard took a seat beside him, and endeavoured to +engage him in conversation; but, finding his efforts fruitless, he +desisted. + +"Something is wrong," observed Parravicin, to the major. "He has been +foiled in his attempt to carry off the girl. Sedley has won his wager, +and it is a heavy sum. Shall we resume our play?" he added, to Disbrowe. + +"I have nothing more to lose," observed the young man, filling a large +goblet to the brim, and emptying it at a draught. "You are master of +every farthing I possess." + +"Hum!" exclaimed Parravicin, taking up a pack of cards, and snapping +them between his finger and thumb. "You are married, Captain Disbrowe?" + +"What if I am?" cried the young man, becoming suddenly pale; "what if I +am?" he repeated. + +"I am told your wife is beautiful," replied Parravicin. + +"Beautiful!" ejaculated Pillichody; "by the well-filled coffers of the +widow of Watling-street! she is an angel. Beautiful is not the word: +Mrs. Disbrowe is divine!" + +"You have never seen her," said the young man, sternly. + +"Ha!--fire and fury! my word doubted," cried the major, fiercely. "I +have seen her at the play-houses, at the Mulberry-garden, at court, and +at church. Not seen her! By the one eye of a Cyclops, but I have! You +shall hear my description of her, and judge of its correctness. +_Imprimis_, she has a tall and majestic figure, and might be a queen for +her dignity." + +"Go on," said Disbrowe, by no means displeased with the commencement. + +"Secondly," pursued Pillichody, "she has a clear olive complexion, +bright black eyes, hair and brows to match, a small foot, a pretty +turn-up nose, a dimpling cheek, a mole upon her throat, the rosiest lips +imaginable, an alluring look--" + +"No more," interrupted Disbrowe. "It is plain you have never seen her." + +"Unbelieving pagan!" exclaimed the major, clapping his hand furiously +upon his sword. "I have done more--I have spoken with her." + +"A lie!" replied Disbrowe, hurling a dice-box at his head. + +"Ha!" roared Pillichody, in a voice of thunder, and pushing back his +chair till it was stopped by the wall. "Death and fiends! I will make +mincemeat of your heart, and send it as a love-offering to your wife." + +And, whipping out his long rapier, he would have assaulted Disbrowe, if +Sir Paul had not interposed, and commanded him authoritatively to put up +his blade. + +"You shall have your revenge in a safer way," he whispered. + +"Well, Sir Paul," rejoined the bully, with affected reluctance, "as you +desire it, I will spare the young man's life. I must wash away the +insult in burgundy, since I cannot do so in blood." + +With this, he emptied the flask next him, and called to a drawer, who +was in attendance, in an imperious tone, to bring two more bottles. + +Parravicin, meanwhile, picked up the dice-box, and, seating himself, +spread a large heap of gold on the table. + +"I mentioned your wife, Captain Disbrowe," he said, addressing the young +officer, who anxiously watched his movements, "not with any intention of +giving you offence, but to show you that, although you have lost your +money, you have still a valuable stake left." + +"I do not understand you, Sir Paul," returned Disbrowe, with a look of +indignant surprise. + +"To be plain, then," replied Parravicin, "I have won from you two +hundred pounds--all you possess. You are a ruined man, and, as such, +will run any hazard to retrieve your losses. I give you a last chance. I +will stake all my winnings, nay, double the amount, against your wife. +You have a key of the house you inhabit, by which you admit yourself at +all hours; so at least the major informs me. If I win, that key shall be +mine. I will take my chance for the rest. Do you understand me now?" + +"I do," replied the young man, with concentrated fury. "I understand +that you are a villain. You have robbed me of my money, and would rob me +of my honour." + +"These are harsh words, sir," replied the knight, calmly; "but let them +pass. We will play first, and fight afterwards. But you refuse my +challenge?" + +"It is false!" replied Disbrowe, fiercely, "I accept it." And producing +a key, he threw it on the table. "My life is, in truth, set on the die," +he added, with a desperate look--"for if I lose, I will not survive my +shame." + +"You will not forget our terms," observed Parravicin. "I am to be your +representative to-night. You can return home to-morrow." + +"Throw, sir--throw," cried the young man, fiercely. + +"Pardon, me," replied the knight; "the first cast is with you. A single +main decides it." + +"Be it so," returned Disbrowe, seizing the box. And as he shook the dice +with a frenzied air, the major and Lydyard drew near the table, and even +Wyvil roused himself to watch the result. + +"Twelve!" cried Disbrowe, as he removed the box. "My honour is saved! My +fortune retrieved--Huzza!" + +"Not so fast," returned Parravicin, shaking the box in his turn. "You +were a little too hasty," he added, uncovering the dice. "I am twelve, +too. We must throw again." + +"This to decide," cried the young officer, again rattling the dice. +"Six!" + +Parravicin smiled, took the box, and threw ten. + +"Perdition!" ejaculated Disbrowe, striking his brow with his clenched +hand. "What devil tempted me to my undoing?--My wife trusted to this +profligate! Horror!--it must not be!" + +"It is too late to retract," replied Parravicin, taking up the key, and +turning with a triumphant look to his friends. + +Disbrowe noticed the smile, and stung beyond endurance, drew his sword, +and called to the knight to defend himself. + +In an instant, passes were exchanged. But the conflict was brief. +Fortune, as before, declared herself in favour of Parravicin. He +disarmed his assailant, who rushed out of the room, uttering the wildest +ejaculations of rage and despair. + +"I told you you should have your revenge," observed the knight to +Pillichody, as soon as Disbrowe was gone. "Is his wife really as +beautiful as you represent her?" + +"Words are too feeble to paint her charms," replied the major. "Shafts +of Cupid! she must be seen to be appreciated." + +"Enough!" returned Parravicin. "I have not made a bad night's work of +it, so far. I'faith, Wyvil, I pity you. To lose a heavy wager is +provoking enough--but to lose a pretty mistress is the devil." + +"I have lost neither yet," replied Wyvil, who had completely recovered +his spirits, and joined in the general merriment occasioned by the +foregoing occurrence. "I have been baffled, not defeated. What say you +to an exchange of mistresses? I am so diverted with your adventure, that +I am half inclined to give you the grocer's daughter for Disbrowe's +wife. She is a superb creature--languid as a Circassian, and passionate +as an Andalusian." + +"I can't agree to the exchange, especially after your rapturous +description," returned Parravicin, "but I'll stake Mrs. Disbrowe against +Amabel. The winner shall have both. A single cast shall decide, as +before." + +"No," replied Wyvil, "I could not resign Amabel, if I lost. And the luck +is all on your side to-night." + +"As you please," rejoined the knight, sweeping the glittering pile into +his pocket. "Drawer, another bottle of burgundy. A health to our +mistresses!" he added, quaffing a brimmer. + +"A health to the grocer's daughter!" cried Wyvil, with difficulty +repressing a shudder, as he uttered the pledge. + +"A health to the rich widow of Watling-street," cried Pillichody, +draining a bumper, "and may I soon call her mine!" + +"I have no mistress to toast," said Lydyard; "and I have drunk wine +enough. Do not forget, gentlemen, that the plague is abroad." + +"You are the death's-head at the feast, Lydyard," rejoined Parravicin, +setting down his glass. "I hate the idea of the plague. It poisons all +our pleasures. We must meet at noon to-morrow, at the Smyrna, to compare +notes as to our successes. Before we separate, can I be of any further +service to you, Wyvil? I came here to enjoy _your_ triumph; but, egad, I +have found so admirable a bubble in that hot-headed Disbrowe, whom I met +at the Smyrna, and brought here to while away the time, that I must +demand your congratulations upon _mine_." + +"You have certainly achieved an easy victory over the husband," returned +Wyvil; "and I trust your success with the wife will be commensurate. I +require no further assistance. What I have to do must be done alone. +Lydyard will accompany me to the house, and then I must shift for +myself." + +"Nay, we will all see you safe inside," returned Parravicin, "We shall +pass by the grocer's shop. I know it well, having passed it a hundred +times, in the vain hope of catching a glimpse of its lovely inmate." + +"I am glad it _was_ a vain hope," replied Wyvil. "But I must scale a +wall to surprise the garrison." + +"In that case you will need the rope-ladder," replied Lydyard; "it is in +readiness." + +"I will carry it," said Pillichody, picking up the ladder which was +lying in a corner of the room, and throwing it over his shoulders. +"Bombs and batteries! I like to be an escalader when the forts of love +are stormed." + +The party then set out. As they proceeded, Parravicin ascertained from +the major that Disbrowe's house was situated in a small street leading +out of Piccadilly, but as he could not be quite sure that he understood +his informant aright, he engaged him to accompany him and point it out. + +By this time they had reached Wood-street, and keeping in the shade, +reconnoitred the house. But though Wyvil clapped his hands, blew a +shrill whistle, and made other signals, no answer was returned, nor was +a light seen at any of the upper windows. On the contrary, all was still +and silent as death. + +The grocer's was a large, old-fashioned house, built about the middle of +the preceding century, or perhaps earlier, and had four stories, each +projecting over the other, till the pile seemed completely to overhang +the street. The entire front, except the upper story, which was +protected by oaken planks, was covered with panels of the same timber, +and the projections were supported by heavy beams, embellished with +grotesque carvings. Three deeply-embayed windows, having stout wooden +bars, filled with minute diamond panes, set in leaden frames, were +allotted to each floor; while the like number of gables, ornamented with +curiously-carved coignes, and long-moulded leaden spouts, shooting far +into the street, finished the roof. A huge sign, with the device of +Noah's Ark, and the owner's name upon it, hung before the door. + +After carefully examining the house, peeping through the chinks in the +lower shutters, and discovering the grocer seated by the bedside of his +son, though he could not make out the object of his solicitude, Wyvil +decided upon attempting an entrance by the backyard. To reach it, a +court and a narrow alley, leading to an open space surrounded by high +walls, had to be traversed. Arrived at this spot, Wyvil threw one end of +the rope ladder over the wall, which was about twelve feet high, and +speedily succeeding in securing it, mounted, and drawing it up after +him, waved his hand to his companions, and disappeared on the other +side. After waiting for a moment to listen, and hearing a window open, +they concluded he had gained admittance, and turned to depart. + +"And now for Mrs. Disbrowe!" cried Parravicin. "We shall find a coach or +a chair in Cheapside. Can I take you westward, Lydyard?" + +But the other declined the offer, saying, "I will not desert Wyvil. I +feel certain he will get into some scrape, and may need me to help him +out of it. Take care of yourself, Parravicin. Beware of the plague, and +of what is worse than the plague, an injured husband. Good-night, +major." + +"Farewell, sir," returned Pillichody, raising his hat. "A merry +watching, and a good catching, as the sentinels were wont to say, when I +served King Charles the First. Sir Paul, I attend you." + + + + +IV. THE INTERVIEW. + +Maurice Wyvil, as his friends conjectured, had found his way into the +house. Creeping through the window, and entering a passage, he moved +noiselessly along till he reached the head of the kitchen stairs, where, +hearing voices below, and listening to what was said, he soon +ascertained from the discourse of the speakers, who were no other than +old Josyna and Patience, that it was not the grocer's daughter, but one +of his sons, who was attacked by the plague, and that Amabel was in +perfect health, though confined in her mother's bedroom. + +Overjoyed at the information he had thus acquired, he retired as +noiselessly as he came, and after searching about for a short time, +discovered the main staircase, and ascended it on the points of his +feet. He had scarcely, however, mounted a dozen steps, when a door +opened, and Blaize crawled along the passage, groaning to himself, and +keeping his eyes bent on the ground. Seeing he was unnoticed, Wyvil +gained the landing, and treading softly, placed his ear at every door, +until at last the musical accents of Amabel convinced him he had hit +upon the right one. + +His heart beat so violently that, for a few seconds, he was unable to +move. Becoming calmer, he tried the door, and finding it locked, rapped +with his knuckles against it. The grocer's wife demanded who was there. +But Wyvil, instead of returning an answer, repeated his application. The +same demand followed, and in a louder key. Still no answer. A third +summons, however, so alarmed Mrs. Bloundel, that, forgetful of her +husband's injunctions, she opened the door and looked out; but, as Wyvil +had hastily retired into a recess, she could see no one. + +Greatly frightened and perplexed, Mrs. Bloundel rushed to the head of +the stairs, to see whether there was any one below; and as she did so, +Wyvil slipped into the room, and locked the door. The only object he +beheld--for he had eyes for nothing else--was Amabel, who, seeing him, +uttered a faint scream. Clasping her in his arms, Wyvil forgot, in the +delirium of the moment, the jeopardy in which he was placed. + +"Do you know what has happened?" cried Amabel, extricating herself from +his embrace. + +"I know all," replied her lover; "I would risk a thousand deaths for +your sake. You must fly with me." + +"Fly!" exclaimed Amabel; "at such a time as this?--my brother dying--the +whole house, perhaps, infected! How can you ask me to fly? Why have you +come hither? You will destroy me." + +"Not so, sweet Amabel," replied Wyvil, ardently. "I would bear you from +the reach of this horrible disease. I am come to save you, and will not +stir without you." + +"What shall I do?" cried Amabel, distractedly. "But I am rightly +punished for my disobedience and ingratitude to my dear father. Oh! +Wyvil, I did not deserve this from you." + +"Hear me, Amabel," cried her lover; "I implore your forgiveness. What I +have done has been from irresistible passion, and from no other cause. +You promised to meet me to-night. Nay, you half consented to fly with +me. I have prepared all for it. I came hither burning with impatience +for the meeting. I received no signal, but encountering your father's +apprentice, was informed that you were attacked by the plague. Imagine +my horror and distress at the intelligence. I thought it would have +killed me. I determined, however, at all risks, to see you once more--to +clasp you in my arms before you died--to die with you, if need be. I +accomplished my purpose. I entered the house unobserved. I overheard the +servants say it was your brother who was ill, not you. I also learnt +that you were in your mother's room. I found the door, and by a +fortunate device, obtained admittance. Now you know all, and will you +not fly with me?" + +"How _can_ I fly?" cried Amabel, gazing wildly round the room, as if in +search of some place of refuge or escape, and, noticing her little +sister, Christiana, who was lying asleep in the bed--"Oh! how I envy +that innocent!" she murmured. + +"Think of nothing but yourself," rejoined Wyvil, seizing her hand. "If +you stay here, it will be to perish of the plague. Trust to me, and I +will secure your flight." + +"I cannot--I dare not," cried Amabel, resisting him with all her force. + +"You _must_ come," cried Wyvil, dragging her along. + +As he spoke, Mrs. Bloundel, who had been down to Blaize's room to +ascertain what was the matter, returned. Trying the door, and finding it +fastened, she became greatly alarmed, and called to Amabel to open it +directly. + +"It is my mother," cried Amabel. "Pity me, Heaven! I shall die with +shame." + +"Heed her not," replied Wyvil, in a deep whisper; "in her surprise and +confusion at seeing me, she will not be able to stop us. Do not +hesitate. There is not a moment to lose." + +"What is the matter, child?" cried Mrs. Bloundel. "Why have you fastened +the door? Is there any one in the room with you?" + +"She hears us," whispered Amabel. "What shall I do? You must not be +seen?" + +"There is no use in further concealment," cried Wyvil. "You are mine, +and twenty mothers should not bar the way." + +"Hold!" cried Amabel, disengaging herself by a sudden effort. "I have +gone too far--but not so far as you imagine. I am not utterly lost." + +And before she could be prevented, she rushed to the door, threw it +open, and flung herself into her mother's arms, who uttered an +exclamation of terror at beholding Wyvil. The latter, though filled with +rage and confusion, preserved an unmoved exterior, and folded his arms +upon his breast. + +"And so it was you who knocked at the door!" cried Mrs. Bloundel, +regarding the gallant with a look of fury--"it was you who contrived to +delude me into opening it! I do not ask why you have come hither like a +thief in the night, because I require no information on the subject. You +are come to dishonour my child--to carry her away from those who love +her and cherish her, and would preserve her from such mischievous +serpents as you. But, Heaven be praised! I have caught you before your +wicked design could Be effected. Oh! Amabel, my child, my child!" she +added, straining her to her bosom, "I had rather--far rather--see you +stricken with the plague, like your poor brother, though I felt there +was not a hope of your recovery, than you should fall into the hands of +this Satan!" + +"I have been greatly to blame, dear mother," returned Amabel, bursting +into tears; "and I shall neither seek to exculpate myself, nor conceal +what I have done. I have deceived you and my father. I have secretly +encouraged the addresses of this gentleman. Nay, if the plague had not +broken out in our house to-night, I should have flown from it with him." + +"You shock me, greatly, child," returned Mrs. Bloundel; "but you relieve +me at the same time. Make a clean breast, and hide nothing from me." + +"I have nothing more to tell, dear mother," replied Amabel, "except that +Maurice Wyvil has been in the room ever since you left it, and might, +perhaps, have carried me off in spite of my resistance, if you had not +returned when you did." + +"It was, indeed, a providential interference," rejoined Mrs. Bloundel. +"From what a snare of the evil one--from what a pitfall have you been +preserved!" + +"I feel I have had a narrow escape, dear mother," replied Amabel. +"Pardon me. I do not deserve your forgiveness. But I will never offend +you more." + +"I forgive you from my heart, child, and will trust you," returned Mrs. +Bloundel, in a voice broken by emotion. + +"That is more than I would," thought Maurice Wyvil. "A woman who has +once deceived those she holds dear, will not fail to do so a second +time. The fairest promises are forgotten when the danger is past." + +"Mr. Wyvil, if you have a particle of regard for me, you will instantly +leave the house," said Amabel, turning to him. + +"If had my own way, he should leave it through the window," said Mrs. +Bloundel; "and if he tarries a minute longer, I will give the alarm." + +"You hear this, sir," cried Amabel:--"go, I entreat you." + +"I yield to circumstance, Amabel," replied Wyvil; "but think not I +resign you. Come what will, and however I may be foiled, I will not +desist till I make you mine." + +"I tremble to hear him," cried Mrs. Bloundel, "and could not have +believed such depravity existed. Quit the house, sir, directly, or I +will have you turned out of it." + +"Do not remain another moment," implored Amabel. "Do not, do not!" + +"Since I have no other way of proving my love, I must perforce obey," +returned Wyvil, trying to snatch her hand and press it to his lips; but +she withdrew it, and clung more closely to her mother. "We part," he +added, significantly, "only for a time." + +Quitting the room, he was about to descend the stairs, when Mrs. +Bloundel, who had followed to see him safely off the premises, hearing a +noise below, occasioned by the return of Leonard with the doctor, +cautioned him to wait. A further delay was caused by Blaize, who, +stationing himself at the foot of the stairs, with a light in his hand, +appeared unwilling to move. Apprehensive of a discovery, Mrs. Bloundel +then directed the gallant to the back staircase, and he had got about +halfway down, when he was surprised by Leonard Holt, as before related. + +At the very moment that Wyvil was overtaken on the landing by the +apprentice, Amabel appeared at the door of her chamber with a light. The +different emotions of each party at this unexpected rencontre may be +imagined. Leonard Holt, with a breast boiling with jealous rage, +prepared to attack his rival. He had no weapon about him, having left +his cudgel in the shop, but he doubled his fists, and, nerved by +passion, felt he had the force of a Hercules in his arm. Wyvil, in his +turn, kept his hand upon his sword, and glanced at his mistress, as if +seeking instructions how to act. At length, Mrs. Bloundel, who formed +one of the group, spoke. + +"Leonard Holt," she said, "show this person out at the door. Do not lose +sight of him for an instant; and, as soon as he is gone, try to find out +how he entered the house." + +"He entered it like a robber," returned Leonard, looking fiercely at the +gallant, "and if I did my strict duty, I should seize him and give him +in charge to the watch. He has come here for the purpose of stealing my +master's chief valuable--his daughter." + +"I am aware of it," replied Mrs. Bloundel, "and nothing but +consideration for my husband prevents my delivering him up to justice. +As it is, he may go free. But should he return--" + +"If I catch him here again," interrupted Leonard, "I will shoot him as I +would a dog, though I should be hanged for the deed. Have you considered +well what you are doing, madam? I would not presume beyond my station, +but there are seasons when an inferior may give wholesome advice. Are +you certain you are acting as your worthy husband would, in allowing +this person to depart? If you have any doubt, speak. Fear nothing. +Unarmed as I am, I am a match for him, and will detain him." + +"Do not heed what Leonard says, dear mother," interposed Amabel. "For my +sake, let Mr. Wyvil go." + +"I _have_ considered the matter, Leonard," returned Mrs. Bloundel, "and +trust I am acting rightly. At all events, I am sure I am sparing my +husband pain." + +"It is mistaken tenderness," rejoined Leonard, "and Heaven grant you may +not have cause to repent it. If I had your permission, I would so deal +with this audacious intruder, that he should never venture to repeat his +visit." + +"You know that you speak safely, fellow," rejoined Wyvil, "and you, +therefore, give full license to your scurrile tongue. But a time will +come when I will chastise your insolence." + +"No more of this," cried Mrs. Bloundel. "Do as I bid you, Leonard; and, +as you value my regard, say nothing of what has occurred to your +master." + +Sullenly acquiescing, the apprentice preceded Wyvil to the shop, and +opened the door. + +As the other passed through it, he said, "You spoke of chastising me +just now. If you have courage enough--which I doubt--to make good your +words, and will wait for me for five minutes, near Saint Alban's Church +in this street, you shall have the opportunity." + +Wyvil did not deign a reply, but wrapping his cloak around him, strode +away. He had not proceeded far, when it occurred to him that, possibly, +notwithstanding his interdiction, some of his companions might be +waiting for him, and hurrying down the passage leading to the yard, he +found Lydyard, to whom he recounted his ill-success. + +"I shall not, however, abandon my design," he said. "These failures are +only incentives to further exertion." + +"In the meantime, you must pay your wager to Sedley," laughed Lydyard, +"and as the house is really infected with the plague, it behoves you to +call at the first apothecary's shop we find open, and get your apparel +fumigated. You must not neglect due precautions." + +"True," replied Wyvil, "and as I feel too restless to go home at +present, suppose we amuse ourselves by calling on some astrologer, to +see whether the stars are favourable to my pursuit of this girl." + +"A good idea," replied Lydyard. "There are plenty of the 'Sons of +Urania,' as they term themselves, hereabouts. + +"A mere juggler will not serve my turn," returned Wyvil. + +"William Lilly, the almanack-maker, who predicted the plague, and, if +old Rowley is to be believed, has great skill in the occult sciences, +lives somewhere in Friday-street, not a stone's throw from this place. +Let us go and find him out." + +"Agreed," replied Lydyard. + + + + +V. THE POMANDER-BOX. + +Any doubts entertained by Leonard Holt as to the manner in which his +rival entered the house, were removed by discovering the open window in +the passage and the rope-ladder hanging to the yard-wall. Taking the +ladder away, and making all as secure as he could, he next seized his +cudgel, and proceeded to Blaize's room, with the intention of inflicting +upon him the punishment he had threatened: for he naturally enough +attributed to the porter's carelessness all the mischief that had just +occurred. Not meeting with him, however, and concluding he was in the +kitchen, he descended thither, and found him in such a pitiable plight, +that his wrath was instantly changed to compassion. + +Stretched upon the hearth before a blazing sea-coal fire, which seemed +large enough to roast him, with his head resting upon the lap of +Patience, the pretty kitchen-maid, and his left hand upon his heart, the +porter loudly complained of a fixed and burning pain in that region; +while his mother, who was kneeling beside him, having just poured a +basin of scalding posset-drink down his throat, entreated him to let her +examine his side to see whether he had any pestilential mark upon it, +but he vehemently resisted her efforts. + +"Do you feel any swelling, myn lief zoon?" asked old Josyna, trying to +remove his hand. + +"Swelling!" ejaculated Blaize,--"there's a tumour as big as an egg." + +"Is id possible?" exclaimed Josyna, in great alarm. "Do let me look ad +id." + +"No, no, leave me alone," rejoined Blaize. "Don't disturb me further. +You will catch the distemper if you touch the sore." + +"Dat wond hinder me from drying to zaave you," replied his mother, +affectionately. "I must see vad is de madder vid you, or I cannod cure +you." + +"I am past your doctoring, mother," groaned Blaize. "Leave me alone, I +say. You hurt me shockingly!" + +"Poor child!" cried Josyna, soothingly, "I'll be as dender as possible. +I'll nod give you de leasd pain--nod de leasd bid." + +"But I tell you, you _do_ give me a great deal," rejoined Blaize. "I +can't bear it. Your fingers are like iron nails. Keep them away." + +"Bless us! did I ever hear de like of dad!" exclaimed Josyna. "Iron +nails! if you think so, myn arm zoon, you musd be very ill indeed." + +"I _am_ very ill," groaned her son. "I am not long for this world." + +"Oh! don't say so, dear Blaize," sobbed Patience, letting fall a +plentiful shower of tears on his face. "Don't say so. I can't bear to +part with you." + +"Then don't survive me," returned Blaize. "But there's little chance of +your doing so. You are certain to take the plague." + +"I care not what becomes of myself, if I lose you, Blaize," responded +Patience, bedewing his countenance with another shower; "but I hope you +won't die yet." + +"Ah! it's all over with me--all over," rejoined Blaize. "I told Leonard +Holt how it would be. I said I should be the next victim. And my words +are come true." + +"You are as clever as a conjurer," sobbed Patience; "but I wish you +hadn't been right in this instance. However, comfort yourself. I'll die +with you. We'll be carried to the grave in the same plague-cart." + +"That's cold comfort," returned Blaize, angrily. "I beg you'll never +mention the plague-cart again. The thought of it makes me shiver all +over--oh!" And he uttered a dismal and prolonged groan. + +At this juncture, Leonard thought it time to interfere. + +"If you are really attacked by the plague, Blaize," he said, advancing, +"you must have instant advice. Doctor Hodges is still upstairs with our +master. He must see you." + +"On no account," returned the porter, in the greatest alarm, and +springing to his feet. "I am better--much better. I don't think I am ill +at all." + +"For the first time, I suspect the contrary," replied the apprentice, +"since you are afraid of owning it. But this is not a matter to be +trifled with. Doctor Hodges will soon settle the point." And he hurried +out of the room to summon the physician. + +"Oh! mother!--dear Patience!" roared Blaize, capering about in an +ecstasy of terror; "don't let the doctor come near me. Keep me out of +his sight. You don't know what horrid things are done to those afflicted +with my complaint. But I do,--for I have informed myself on the subject. +Their skins are scarified, and their sores blistered, lanced, +cauterized, and sometimes burned away with a knob of red-hot iron, +called 'the button.'" + +"But iv id is necessary, myn goed Blaize, you musd submid," replied his +mother. "Never mind de hod iron or de lance, or de blisder, iv dey make +you well. Never mind de pain. It will soon be over." + +"Soon over!" bellowed Blaize, sinking into a chair. "Yes, I feel it +will. But not in the way you imagine. This Doctor Hodges will kill me. +He is fond of trying experiments, and will make me his subject. Don't +let him--for pity's sake, don't." + +"But I musd, myn lief jonger," replied his mother, "I musd." + +"Oh, Patience!" supplicated Blaize, "you were always fond of me. My +mother has lost her natural affection. She wishes to get rid of me. +Don't take part with her. My sole dependence is upon you." + +"I will do all I can for you, dear Blaize," blubbered the kitchen-maid. +"But it is absolutely necessary you should see the doctor." + +"Then I won't stay here another minute," vociferated Blaize. "I'll die +in the street rather than under his hands." + +And bursting from them, he would have made good his retreat, but for the +entrance of Leonard and Hodges. + +At the sight of the latter, Blaize ran back and endeavoured to screen +himself behind Patience. + +"Is this the sick man?" remarked Hodges, scarcely able to refrain from +laughing. "I don't think he can be in such imminent danger as you led me +to suppose." + +"No, I am better--much better, thank you," returned Blaize, still +keeping Patience between him and the doctor. "The very sight of you has +frightened away the plague." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Hodges, smiling, "then it is the most marvellous +cure I ever yet effected. But, come forward, young man, and let us see +what is the matter with you." + +"You neither lance nor cauterize an incipient tumour, do you, doctor?" +demanded Blaize, without abandoning his position. + +"Eh, day!" exclaimed Hodges, "have we one of the faculty here? I see how +it is, friend. You have been reading some silly book about the disease, +and have frightened yourself into the belief that you have some of its +symptoms. I hope you haven't been doctoring yourself, likewise. What +have you taken?" + +"It would be difficult to say what he has _not_ taken," remarked +Leonard. "His stomach must be like an apothecary's shop." + +"I have only used proper precautions," rejoined Blaize, testily. + +"And what may those be--eh?" inquired the doctor. "I am curious to +learn." + +"Come from behind Patience," cried Leonard, "and don't act the fool +longer, or I will see whether your disorder will not yield to a sound +application of the cudgel." + +"Don't rate him thus, good Master Leonard," interposed Patience. "He is +very ill--he is, indeed." + +"Then let him have a chance of getting better," returned the apprentice. +"If he _is_ ill, he has no business near you. Come from behind her, +Blaize, I say. Now speak," he added, as the porter crept tremblingly +forth, "and let us hear what nostrums you have swallowed. I know you +have dosed yourself with pills, electuaries, balsams, tinctures, +conserves, spirits, elixirs, decoctions, and every other remedy, real or +imaginary. What else have you done?" + +"What Dr. Hodges, I am sure, will approve," replied Blaize, confidently. +"I have rubbed myself with vinegar, oil of sulphur, extract of tar, and +spirit of turpentine." + +"What next?" demanded Hodges. + +"I placed saltpetre, brimstone, amber, and juniper upon a chafing-dish +to fumigate my room," replied Blaize; "but the vapour was so +overpowering, I could not bear it." + +"I should be surprised if you could," replied the doctor. "Indeed, it is +astonishing to me, if you have taken half the remedies Leonard says you +have, and which, taken in this way, are no remedies at all, since they +counteract each other--that you are still alive. But let us see what is +the matter with you. What ails you particularly?" + +"Nothing," replied Blaize, trembling; "I am quite well." + +"He complains of a fixed pain near de haard, docdor," interposed his +mother, "and says he has a large dumour on his side. But he wond let me +examine id." + +"That's a bad sign," observed Hodges, shaking his head. "I am afraid +it's not all fancy, as I at first supposed. Have you felt sick of late, +young man?" + +"Not of late," replied Blaize, becoming as white as ashes; "but I do +now." + +"Another bad symptom," rejoined the doctor. "Take off your doublet and +open your shirt." + +"Do as the doctor bids you," said Leonard, seeing that Blaize hesitated, +"or I apply the cudgel." + +"Ah! bless my life! what's this?" cried Hodges, running his hand down +the left side of the porter, and meeting with a large lump. "Can it be a +carbuncle?" + +"Yes, it's a terrible carbuncle," replied Blaize; "but don't cauterize +it, doctor." + +"Let me look at it," cried Hodges, "and I shall then know how to +proceed." + +And as he spoke, he tore open the porter's shirt, and a silver ball, +about as large as a pigeon's egg, fell to the ground. Leonard picked it +up, and found it so hot that he could scarcely hold it. + +"Here is the terrible carbuncle," he cried, with a laugh, in which all +the party, except Blaize, joined. + +"It's my pomander-box," said the latter. "I filled it with a mixture of +citron-peel, angelica seed, zedoary, yellow saunders, aloes, benzoin, +camphor, and gum-tragacanth, moistened with spirit of roses; and after +placing it on the chafing-dish to heat it, hung it by a string round my +neck, next my dried toad. I suppose, by some means or other, it dropped +through my doublet, and found its way to my side. I felt a dreadful +burning there, and that made me fancy I was attacked by the plague." + +"A very satisfactory solution of the mystery," replied the doctor, +laughing; "and you may think yourself well off with the blister which +your box has raised. It will be easier to bear than the cataplasm I +should have given you, had your apprehensions been well founded. As yet, +you are free from infection, young man; but if you persist in this silly +and pernicious practice of quacking yourself, you will infallibly bring +on some fatal disorder--perhaps the plague itself. If your mother has +any regard for you she will put all your medicines out of your reach. +There are few known remedies against this frightful disease; and what +few there are, must be adopted cautiously. My own specific is sack." + +"Sack!" exclaimed Blaize, in astonishment. "Henceforth, I will drink +nothing else. I like the remedy amazingly." + +"It must be taken in moderation," said the doctor: "otherwise it is as +dangerous as too much physic." + +"I have a boddle or doo of de liquor you commend, docdor, in my private +cupboard," observed Josyna. "Will you dasde id?" + +"With great pleasure," replied Hodges, "and a drop of it will do your +son no harm." + +The wine was accordingly produced, and the doctor pronounced it +excellent, desiring that a glass might always be brought him when he +visited the grocer's house. + +"You may rely upon id, mynheer, as long as my small sdore lasds," +replied Josyna. + +Blaize, who, in obedience to the doctor's commands, had drained a large +glass of sack, felt so much inspirited by it, that he ventured, when his +mother's back was turned, to steal a kiss from Patience, and to whisper +in her ear, that if he escaped the plague, he would certainly marry +her--an assurance that seemed to give her no slight satisfaction. His +new-born courage, however, was in some degree damped by Leonard, who +observed to him in an undertone: + +"You have neglected my injunctions, sirrah, and allowed the person I +warned you of to enter the house. When a fitting season arrives, I will +not fail to pay off old scores." + +Blaize would have remonstrated, and asked for some explanation, but the +apprentice instantly left him, and set out upon his errand to the +Examiner of Health. Accompanied by his mother, who would not even allow +him to say good-night to Patience, the porter then proceeded to his own +room, where the old woman, to his infinite regret, carried off his +stores of medicine in a basket, which she brought with her for that +purpose, and locked the door upon him. + +"This has escaped her," said Blaize, as soon as she was gone, opening a +secret drawer in the cupboard. "How fortunate that I kept this reserve. +I have still a tolerable supply in case of need. Let me examine my +stock. First of all, there are plague-lozenges, composed of angelica, +liquorice, flower of sulphur, myrrh, and oil of cinnamon. Secondly, an +electuary of bole-armoniac, hartshorn-shavings, saffron, and syrup of +wood-sorrel. I long to taste it. But then it would be running in the +doctor's teeth. Thirdly, there is a phial labelled _Aqua Theriacalis +Stillatitia_--in plain English, distilled treacle-water. A spoonful of +this couldn't hurt me. Fourthly, a packet of powders, entitled _Manus +Christi_--an excellent mixture. Fifthly, a small pot of diatesseron, +composed of gentian, myrrh, bayberries, and round aristolochia. I must +just taste it. Never mind the doctor! He does not know what agrees with +my constitution as well as I do myself. Physic comes as naturally to me +as mother's milk. Sixthly, there is _Aqua Epidemica_, commonly called +the Plague-Water of Matthias--delicious stuff! I will only just sip it. +What a fine bitter it has! I'm sure it must be very wholesome. Next, for +I've lost my count, comes salt of vipers--next, powder of unicorn's +horn--next, oil of scorpions from Naples--next, dragon-water--all +admirable. Then there are cloves of garlics--sovereign fortifiers of the +stomach--and, lastly, there is a large box of my favourite rufuses. How +many pills have I taken? Only half a dozen! Three more may as well go to +keep the others company." + +And hastily swallowing them, as if afraid of detection, he carefully +shut the drawer, and then crept into bed, and, covering himself with +blankets, endeavoured to compose himself to slumber. + +Doctor Hodges, meantime, returned to the grocer, and acquainted him that +it was a false alarm, and that the porter was entirely free from +infection. + +"I am glad to hear it," replied Bloundel; "but I expected as much. +Blaize is like the shepherd's boy in the fable: he has cried 'wolf' so +often, that when the danger really arrives, no one will heed him." + +"I must now take my leave, Mr. Bloundel," said Hodges. "I will be with +you the first thing to-morrow, and have little doubt I shall find your +son going on well. But you must not merely take care of him, but of +yourself, and your household. It will be well to set a chafing-dish in +the middle of the room, and scatter some of these perfumes occasionally +upon it!" and producing several small packets, he gave them to the +grocer. "If you ever smoke a pipe, I would advise you to do so now." + +"I never smoke," replied Bloundel, "and hold it as a filthy and +mischievous habit, which nothing but necessity should induce me to +practise." + +"It is advisable now," returned Hodges, "and you should neglect no +precaution. Take my word for it, Mr. Bloundel, the plague is only +beginning. When the heats of summer arrive, its ravages will be +frightful. Heaven only knows what will become of us all!" + +"If my poor son is spared, and we escape contagion," returned Bloundel, +"I will put into execution a scheme which has occurred to me, and which +(under Providence!) will, I trust, secure my family from further +hazard." + +"Ah, indeed! what is that?" inquired Hodges. + +"We must talk of it some other time," returned Bloundel "Good-night, +doctor, and accept my thanks for your attention. To-morrow, at as early +an hour as you can make convenient, I shall hope to see you." And with a +friendly shake of the hand, and a reiteration of advice and good wishes, +Hodges departed. + +Soon after this the apprentice returned, and by his master's directions, +placed a chafing-dish in the middle of the room, supplying it with the +drugs and herbs left by the doctor. About four o'clock, a loud knocking +was heard. Instantly answering the summons, Leonard found four men at +the shop-door, two of whom he knew, by red wands they carried, were +searchers; while their companions appeared to be undertakers, from their +sable habits and long black cloaks. + +Marching unceremoniously into the shop, the searchers desired to see the +sick man; and the apprentice then perceived that one of the men in black +cloaks was the coffin-maker, Chowles. He could not, however, refuse him +admittance, and led the way to the grocer's chamber. As they entered it, +Bloundel arose, and placing his finger to his lips in token of silence, +raised the blankets, and exhibited the blotch, which had greatly +increased in size, under the arm of his slumbering son. The foremost of +the searchers, who kept a phial of vinegar to his nose all the time he +remained in the room, then demanded in a low tone whether there were any +other of the household infected? The grocer replied in the negative. +Upon this, Chowles, whose manner showed he was more than half +intoxicated, took off his hat, and bowing obsequiously to the grocer, +said, "Shall I prepare you a coffin, Mr. Bloundel?--you are sure to want +one, and had better give the order in time, for there is a great demand +for such articles just now. If you like, I will call with it tomorrow +night. I have a plague-cart of my own, and bury all my customers." + +"God grant I may not require your services, sir!" replied the grocer, +shuddering. "But I will give you timely notice." + +"If you are in want of a nurse, I can recommend an experienced one," +added Chowles. "Her last employer is just dead." + +"I may need assistance," replied the grocer, after a moment's +reflection. "Let her call to-morrow." + +"She understands her business perfectly, and will save you a world of +trouble," replied Chowles; "besides securing me the sale of another +coffin," he added to himself. + +He then quitted the room with the searchers, and Leonard felt +inexpressibly relieved by their departure. + +As soon as the party gained the street, the fourth person, who was +provided with materials for the task, painted a red cross of the +prescribed size--namely, a foot in length--in the middle of the door; +tracing above it, in large characters, the melancholy formula--"LORD, +HAVE MERCY UPON US!" + + + + +VI. THE LIBERTINE PUNISHED. + +Sir Paul Parravicin and Major Pillichody arrived without any particular +adventure at the top of the Haymarket, where the former dismissed the +coach he had hired in Cheapside, and they proceeded towards Piccadilly +on foot. Up to this time the major had been in very high spirits, +boasting what he would do, in case they encountered Disbrowe, and +offering to keep guard outside the door while the knight remained in the +house. But he now began to alter his tone, and to frame excuses to get +away. He had noticed with some uneasiness, that another coach stopped +lower down the Haymarket, at precisely the same time as their own; and +though he could not be quite certain of the fact, he fancied he +perceived a person greatly resembling Captain Disbrowe alight from it. +Mentioning the circumstance to his companion, he pointed out a tall +figure following them at some distance; but the other only laughed at +him, and said, "It may possibly be Disbrowe--but what if it is? He +cannot get into the house without the key; and if he is inclined to +measure swords with me a second time, he shall not escape so lightly as +he did the first." + +"Right, Sir Paul, right," returned Pillichody, "exterminate him--spare +him not. By Bellerophon! that's my way. My only apprehension is lest he +should set upon us unawares. The bravest are not proof against the +dagger of an assassin." + +"There you wrong Disbrowe, major, I am persuaded," returned Parravicin. +"He is too much a man of honour to stab a foe behind his back." + +"It may be," replied Pillichody, "but jealousy will sometimes turn a +man's brain. By the snakes of Tisiphone! I have known an instance of it +myself. I once made love to a tailor's wife, and the rascal coming in +unawares, struck me to the ground with his goose, and well nigh murdered +me." + +"After such a mischance, I am surprised you should venture to carry on +so many hazardous intrigues," laughed the knight. "But you proposed just +now to keep watch outside the house. If it is Disbrowe who is following +us, you had better do so." + +"Why, Sir Paul--you see,"--stammered the major, "I have just bethought +me of an engagement." + +"An engagement at this hour--impossible!" cried Parravicin. + +"An assignation, I ought to say," returned Pillichody. + +"Couches of Cytheraea!--an affair like your own. You would not have me +keep a lady waiting." + +"It is strange you should not recollect it till this moment," replied +Parravicin. "But be your inamorata whom she may--even the rich widow of +Watling-street, of whom you prate so much--you must put her off +to-night." + +"But, Sir Paul----" + +"I will have no denial," replied the knight, peremptorily. "If you +refuse, you will find me worse to deal with than Disbrowe. You must +remain at the door till I come out. And now let us lose no more time. I +am impatient to behold the lady." + +"Into what a cursed scrape have I got myself!" thought the major, as he +walked by the side of his companion, ever and anon casting wistful +glances over his shoulder. "I am fairly caught on the horns of a +dilemma. I instinctively feel that Disbrowe _is_ dogging us. What will +become of me? The moment this harebrained coxcomb enters the house, I +will see whether a light pair of heels cannot bear me out of harm's +way." + +By this time, they had reached a passage known as Bear-alley (all traces +of which have been swept away by modern improvements), and threading it, +they entered a narrow thoroughfare, called Castle-street. Just as they +turned the corner, Pillichody again noticed the figure at the further +end of the alley, and, but for his fears of the knight, would have +instantly scampered off. + +"Are we far from the house?" inquired Parravicin. + +"No," replied the major, scarcely able to conceal his trepidation. "It +is close at hand--and so is the lady's husband." + +"So much the better," replied the knight; "it will afford you some +amusement to beat him off. You may affect not to know him, and may tell +him the lady's husband is just come home--her _husband_!--do you take, +Pillichody?" + +"I do--ha! ha! I do," replied the major, in a quavering tone. + +"But you don't appear to relish the jest," rejoined Parravicin, +sneeringly. + +"Oh, yes, I relish it exceedingly," replied Pillichody; "her +husband--ha!--ha!--and Disbrowe is the disappointed lover--capital! But +here we are--and I wish we were anywhere else," he added to himself. + +"Are you sure you are right?" asked Parravicin, searching for the key. + +"Quite sure," returned Pillichody. "Don't you see some one behind that +wall?" + +"I see nothing," rejoined the knight. "You are afraid of shadows, +major." + +"Afraid!" ejaculated Pillichody. "Thousand thunders! I am afraid of +nothing." + +"In that case, I shall expect to find you have slain Disbrowe, on my +return," rejoined Parravicin, unlocking the door. + +"The night is chilly," observed the major, "and ever since my campaigns +in the Low Countries, I have been troubled with rheumatism. I should +prefer keeping guard inside." + +"No, no, you must remain where you are," replied the knight, shutting +the door. + +Pillichody was about to take to his heels, when he felt himself arrested +by a powerful arm. He would have roared for aid, but a voice, which he +instantly recognised, commanded him to keep silence, if he valued his +life. + +"Is your companion in the house?" demanded Disbrowe, in a hollow tone. + +"I am sorry to say he is, Captain Disbrowe," replied the bully. "I did +my best to prevent him, but remonstrance was in vain." + +"Liar," cried Disbrowe, striking him with his clenched hand. "Do you +think to impose upon me by such a pitiful fabrication? It was you who +introduced me to this heartless libertine--you who encouraged me to play +with him, telling me I should easily strip him of all he possessed--you +who excited his passion for my wife, by praising her beauty--and it was +you who put it into his head to propose that fatal stake to me." + +"There you are wrong, Captain Disbrowe," returned Pillichody, in a +supplicatory tone. "On my soul, you are! I certainly praised your wife +(as who would not?), but I never advised Parravicin to play for her. +That was his own idea entirely." + +"The excuse shall not avail you," cried Disbrowe, fiercely. "To you I +owe all my misery. Draw and defend yourself." + +"Be not so hasty, captain," cried Pillichody, abjectedly. "I have +injured you sufficiently already. I would not have your blood on my +head. On the honour of a soldier, I am sorry for the wrong I have done +you, and will strive to repair it." + +"Repair it!" shrieked Disbrowe. "It is too late." And seizing the +major's arm, he dragged him by main force into the alley. + +"Help! help!" roared Pillichody. "Would you murder me?" + +"I will assuredly cut your throat, if you keep up this clamour," +rejoined Disbrowe, snatching the other's long rapier from his side. +"Coward!" he added, striking him with the flat side of the weapon, "this +will teach you to mix yourself up in such infamous affairs for the +future." + +And heedless of the major's entreaties and vociferations, he continued +to belabour him, until compelled by fatigue to desist; when the other, +contriving to extricate himself, ran off as fast as his legs could carry +him. Disbrowe looked after him for a moment, as if uncertain whether to +follow, and then hurrying to the house, stationed himself beneath the +porch. + +"I will stab him as he comes forth," he muttered, drawing his sword, and +hiding it beneath his mantle. + +Parravicin, meanwhile, having let himself into the house, marched boldly +forward, though the passage was buried in darkness, and he was utterly +unacquainted with it. Feeling against the wall, he presently discovered +a door, and opening it, entered a room lighted by a small silver lamp +placed on a marble slab. The room was empty, but its furniture and +arrangements proclaimed it the favourite retreat of the fair mistress of +the abode. Parravicin gazed curiously round, as if anxious to gather +from what he saw some idea of the person he so soon expected to +encounter. Everything betokened a refined and luxurious taste. A few +French romances, the last plays of Etherege, Dryden, and Shadwell, a +volume of Cowley, and some amorous songs, lay on the table; and not far +from them were a loomask, pulvil purse, a pair of scented gloves, a +richly-laced mouchoir, a manteau girdle, palatine tags, and a golden +bodkin for the hair. + +Examining all these things, and drawing his own conclusions as to the +character of their owner, Parravicin turned to a couch on which a +cittern was thrown, while beside it, on a cushion, were a pair of tiny +embroidered velvet slippers. A pocket-mirror, or sprunking-glass, as it +was then termed, lay on a side-table, and near it stood an embossed +silver chocolate-pot, and a small porcelain cup with a golden spoon +inside it, showing what the lady's last repast had been. On another +small table, covered with an exquisitely white napkin, stood a flask of +wine, a tall-stemmed glass, and a few cakes on a China dish, evidently +placed there for Disbrowe's return. + +As Parravicin drew near this table, a slip of paper, on which a few +lines were traced, attracted his attention, and taking it up, he read as +follows: + +"It is now midnight, and you promised to return early. I have felt your +absence severely, and have been suffering from a violent headache, which +has almost distracted me. I have also been troubled with strange and +unaccountable misgivings respecting you. I am a little easier now, but +still far from well, and about to retire to rest. At what hour will this +meet your eye?" + +"MARGARET." + + +"Charming creature!" exclaimed Parravicin, as the paper dropped from his +hand; "she little dreamed, when she wrote it, who would read her billet. +Disbrowe does not deserve such a treasure. I am sorry she is unwell. I +hope she has not taken the plague. Pshaw, what could put such an idea +into my head? Lydyard's warning, I suppose. That fellow, who is the +veriest rake among us, is always preaching. Confound him! I wish he had +not mentioned it. A glass of wine may exhilarate me." And pouring out a +bumper, he swallowed it at a draught. "And so the fond fool is pining +for her husband, and has some misgivings about him. Egad! it is well for +her she does not know what has really taken place. She'll learn that +soon enough. What's this?" he added, glancing at a picture on the wall. +"Her miniature! It must be; for it answers exactly to Pillichody's +description. A sparkling brunette, with raven hair, and eyes of night. I +am on fire to behold her: but I must proceed with prudence, or I may +ruin all. Is there nothing of Disbrowe's that I could put on for the +nonce? 'Fore Heaven! the very thing I want!" + +The exclamation was occasioned by his observing a loose silken robe +lying across a chair. Wrapping it round him, and throwing down his hat, +he took the lamp and went up stairs. + +Daring as he was, Parravicin felt his courage desert him, as having +found the door of Mrs. Disbrowe's chamber, he cautiously opened it. A +single glance showed him that the room was more exquisitely, more +luxuriously furnished than that he had just quitted. Articles of +feminine attire, of the richest kind, were hung against the walls, or +disposed on the chairs. On one side stood the toilette-table, with its +small mirror then in vogue, and all its equipage of silver flasks, +filligree cassets, japan patch-boxes, scent-bottles, and pomatum-pots. + +As he entered the room, a faint voice issuing from behind the rich +damask curtains of the bed, demanded, "Is it you, Disbrowe?" + +"It is, Margaret," replied Parravicin, setting down the lamp, and +speaking with a handkerchief at his mouth, to disguise his voice and +conceal his features. + +"You are late--very late," she rejoined, "and I have been ill. I fancied +myself dying." + +"What has been the matter with you sweet, Meg?" asked Parravicin, +approaching the bed, and seating himself behind the curtains. + +"I know not," she replied. "I was seized with a dreadful headache about +an hour ago. It has left me; but I have a strange oppression at my +chest, and breathe with difficulty." + +"You alarm me, my love," rejoined Parravicin. "Were you ever attacked +thus before?" + +"Never," she replied. "Oh! Disbrowe! if you knew how I have longed for +your return, you would blame yourself for your absence. You have grown +sadly neglectful of late. I suspect you love some one else. If I thought +so------" + +"What if you thought so, Margaret?" demanded Parravicin. + +"What!" cried Mrs. Disbrowe, raising herself in the bed. "I would +requite your perfidy--terribly requite it!" + +"Then learn that Captain Disbrowe _is_ faithless," cried Parravicin, +throwing back the curtains, and disclosing himself. "Learn that he loves +another, and is with her now. Learn that he cares so little for you, +that he has surrendered you to me." + +"What do I hear?" exclaimed Mrs. Disbrowe. "Who are you, and what brings +you here?" + +"You may guess my errand from my presence," replied the knight. "I am +called Sir Paul Parravicin, and am the most devoted of your admirers." + +"My husband surrender me to a stranger! It cannot be!" cried the lady, +distractedly. + +"You see me here, and may judge of the truth of my statement," rejoined +the knight. "Your husband gave me this key, with which I introduced +myself to the house." + +"What motive could he have for such unheard-of baseness--such +barbarity?" cried Mrs. Disbrowe, bursting into tears. + +"Shall I tell you, madam?" replied Parravicin. "He is tired of you, and +has taken this means of ridding himself of you." + +Mrs. Disbrowe uttered a loud scream, and fell back in the bed. +Parravicin waited for a moment; but not hearing her move, brought the +lamp to see what was the matter. She had fainted, and was lying across +the pillow, with her night-dress partly open, so as to expose her neck +and shoulders. + +The knight was at first ravished with her beauty; but his countenance +suddenly fell, and an expression of horror and alarm took possession of +it. He appeared rooted to the spot, and instead of attempting to render +her any assistance, remained with his gaze fixed upon her neck. + +Rousing himself at length, he rushed out of the room, hurried down +stairs, and without pausing for a moment, threw open the street-door. As +he issued from it, his throat was forcibly griped, and the point of a +sword was placed at his breast. + +"You are now in my power, villain," cried Disbrowe, "and shall not +escape my vengeance." + +"You are already avenged," replied Parravicin, shaking off his +assailant. "Your wife has the plague." + + + + +VII. THE PLAGUE NURSE. + +"And so my husband has got the plague," muttered Mother Malmayns, as she +hastened towards Saint Paul's, after the reproof she had received from +Doctor Hodges. "Well, it's a disorder that few recover from, and I don't +think he stands a better chance than his fellows. I've been troubled +with him long enough. I've borne his ill-usage and savage temper for +twenty years, vainly hoping something would take him off; but though he +tried his constitution hard, it was too tough to yield. However, he's +likely to go now. If I find him better than I expect, I can easily make +all sure. That's one good thing about the plague. You may get rid of a +patient without any one being the wiser. A wrong mixture--a pillow +removed--a moment's chill during the fever--a glass of cold water--the +slightest thing will do it. Matthew Malmayns, you will die of the +plague, that's certain. But I must be careful how I proceed. That cursed +doctor has his eye upon me. As luck would have it, I've got Sibbald's +ointment in my pocket. That is sure to do its business--and safely." + +Thus ruminating, she shaped her course towards the southwest corner of +the cathedral, and passing under the shrouds and cloisters of the +Convocation House, raised the latch of a small wooden shed fixed in the +angle of a buttress. Evidently well acquainted with the place, she was +not long in finding a lantern and materials to light it, and inserting +her fingers in a crevice of the masonry, from which the mortar had been +removed, she drew forth a key. + +"It has not been stirred since I left it here a month ago," she +muttered. "I must take care of this key, for if Matthew _should_ die, I +may not be able to enter the vaults of Saint Faith's without it; and as +I know all their secret places and passages, which nobody else does, +except my husband, I can make them a storehouse for the plunder I may +obtain during the pestilence. If it rages for a year, or only half that +time, and increases in violence (as God grant it may), I will fill every +hole in those walls with gold." + +With this, she took up the lantern, and crept along the side of the +cathedral, until she came to a flight of stone steps. Descending them, +she unlocked a small but strong door, cased with iron, and fastening it +after her, proceeded along a narrow stone passage, which brought her to +another door, opening upon the south aisle of Saint Faith's. + +Pausing for a moment to listen whether any one was within the sacred +structure--for such was the dead and awful silence of the place, that +the slightest whisper or footfall, even at its farthest extremity, could +be distinguished--she crossed to the other side, glancing fearfully +around her as she threaded the ranks of pillars, whose heavy and +embrowned shafts her lantern feebly illumined, and entering a recess, +took a small stone out of the wall, and deposited the chief part of the +contents of her pocket behind it, after which she carefully replaced the +stone. This done, she hurried to the charnel, and softly opened the door +of the crypt. + +Greatly relieved by the operation he had undergone, the sexton had sunk +into a slumber, and was, therefore, unconscious of the entrance of his +wife, who, setting down the lantern, advanced towards the pallet. His +mother and the young man were still in attendance, and the former, on +seeing her daughter-in-law, exclaimed, in low but angry accents--"What +brings you here, Judith? I suppose you expected to find my son dead. But +he will disappoint you. Doctor Hodges said he would recover--did he not +Kerrich?" she added, appealing to the young man, who nodded +acquiescence. "He will recover, I tell you." + +"Well, well," replied Judith, in the blandest tone she could assume; "I +hope he will. And if the doctor says so, I have no doubt of it. I only +heard of his illness a few minutes ago, and came instantly to nurse +him." + +"_You_ nurse him?" cried the old woman; "if you show him any affection +now, it will be for the first time since your wedding-day." + +"How long has he been unwell?" demanded Judith, with difficulty +repressing her anger. + +"He was seized the night before last," replied the old woman; "but he +didn't know what was the matter with him when it began. I saw him just +before he went to rest, and he complained of a slight illness, but +nothing to signify. He must have passed a frightful night, for the +vergers found him in the morning running about Saint Faith's like a +madman, and dashing his spades and mattocks against the walls and +pillars. They secured him, and brought him here, and on examination, he +proved to have the plague." + +"You surprise me by what you say," replied Judith. "During the last +month, I have nursed more than a dozen patients, and never knew any of +them so violent. I must look at his sore." + +"The doctor has just dressed it," observed the old woman. + +"I don't mind that," rejoined Judith, turning down the blanket, and +examining her husband's shoulder. "You are right," she added, "he is +doing as well as possible." + +"I suppose I shan't be wanted any more," observed Kerrich, "now you're +come back to nurse your husband, Mrs. Malmayns? I shall be glad to get +home to my own bed, for I don't feel well at all." + +"Don't alarm yourself," replied Judith. "There's a bottle of plague +vinegar for you. Dip a piece of linen in it, and smell at it, and I'll +insure you against the pestilence." + +Kerrich took the phial, and departed. But the remedy was of little +avail. Before daybreak, he was seized with the distemper, and died two +days afterwards. + +"I hope poor Kerrich hasn't got the plague?" said the old woman, in a +tremulous tone. + +"I am afraid he has," replied the daughter-in-law, "but I didn't like to +alarm him." + +"Mercy on us!" cried the other, getting up. "What a dreadful scourge it +is." + +"You would say so, if you had seen whole families swept off by it, as I +have," replied Judith. "But it mostly attacks old persons and children." + +"Lord help us!" cried the crone, "I hope it will spare me. I thought my +age secured me." + +"Quite the reverse," replied Judith, desirous of exciting her +mother-in-law's terrors; "quite the reverse. You must take care of +yourself." + +"But you don't think I'm ill, do you?" asked the other, anxiously. + +"Sit down, and let me look at you," returned Judith. + +And the old woman tremblingly obeyed. + +"Well, what do you think of me--what's the matter?" she asked, as her +daughter-in-law eyed her for some minutes in silence. "What's the +matter, I say?" + +But Judith remained silent. + +"I insist upon knowing," continued the old woman. + +"Are you able to bear the truth?" returned her daughter-in-law. + +"You need say no more," groaned the old woman. "I know what the truth +must be, and will try to bear it. I will get home as fast as I can, and +put my few affairs in order, so that if I am carried off, I may not go +unprepared." + +"You had better do so," replied her daughter-in-law. + +"You will take care of my poor son, Judith," rejoined the old woman, +shedding a flood of tears. "I would stay with him, if I thought I could +do him any good; but if I really am infected, I might only be in the +way. Don't neglect him--as you hope for mercy hereafter, do not." + +"Make yourself easy, mother," replied Judith. "I will take every care of +him." + +"Have you no fears of the disorder yourself?" inquired the old woman. + +"None whatever," replied Judith. "I am _a safe woman_." + +"I do not understand you," replied her mother-in-law, in surprise. + +"I have had the plague," replied Judith; "and those who have had it +once, never take it a second time." + +This opinion, entertained at the commencement of the pestilence, it may +be incidentally remarked, was afterwards found to be entirely erroneous; +some persons being known to have the distemper three or four times. + +"You never let us know you were ill," said the old woman. + +"I could not do so," replied Judith, "and I don't know that I should +have done if I could. I was nursing two sisters at a small house in +Clerkenwell Close, and they both died in the night-time, within a few +hours of each other. The next day, as I was preparing to leave the +house, I was seized myself, and had scarcely strength to creep up-stairs +to bed. An old apothecary, named Sibbald, who had brought drugs to the +house, attended me, and saved my life. In less than a week, I was well +again, and able to move about, and should have returned home, but the +apothecary told me, as I had had the distemper once, I might resume my +occupation with safety. I did so, and have found plenty of employment." + +"No doubt," rejoined the old woman; "and you will find plenty +more--plenty more." + +"I hope so," replied the other. + +"Oh! do not give utterance to such a dreadful wish, Judith," rejoined +her mother-in-law. "Do not let cupidity steel your heart to every better +feeling." + +A slight derisive smile passed over the harsh features of the +plague-nurse. + +"You heed me not," pursued the old woman. "But a time will come when you +will recollect my words." + +"I am content to wait till then," rejoined Judith. + +"Heaven grant you a better frame of mind!" exclaimed the old woman. "I +must take one last look of my son, for it is not likely I shall see him +again." + +"Not in this world," thought Judith. + +"I conjure you, by all that is sacred, not to neglect him," said the old +woman. + +"I have already promised to do so," replied Judith, impatiently. +"Good-night, mother." + +"It will be a long good-night to me, I fear," returned the dame. "Doctor +Hodges promised to send some blankets and medicine for poor Matthew. The +doctor is a charitable man to the poor, and if he learns I am sick, he +may, perhaps, call and give me advice." + +"I am sure he will," replied Judith. "Should the man bring the blankets, +I will tell him to acquaint his master with your condition. And now take +this lantern, mother, and get home as fast as you can." + +So saying, she almost pushed her out of the vault, and closed the door +after her. + +"At last I am rid of her," she muttered. "She would have been a spy over +me. I hope I have frightened her into the plague. But if she dies of +fear, it will answer my purpose as well. And now for my husband." + +Taking up the lamp, and shading it with her hand, she gazed at his +ghastly countenance. + +"He slumbers tranquilly," she muttered, after contemplating him for some +time, adding with a chuckling laugh, "it would be a pity to waken him." + +And seating herself on a stool near the pallet, she turned over in her +mind in what way she could best execute her diabolical purpose. + +While she was thus occupied, the messenger from Doctor Hodges arrived +with a bundle of blankets and several phials and pots of ointment. The +man offered to place the blankets on the pallet, but Judith would not +let him. + +"I can do it better myself, and without disturbing the poor sufferer," +she said. "Give my dutiful thanks to your master. Tell him my husband's +mother, old widow Malmayns, fancies herself attacked by the plague, and +if he will be kind enough to visit her, she lodges in the upper attic of +a baker's house, at the sign of the Wheatsheaf, in Little Distaff-lane, +hard by." + +"I will not fail to deliver your message to the doctor," replied the +man, as he took his departure. + +Left alone with her husband a second time, Judith waited till she +thought the man had got out of the cathedral, and then rising and taking +the lamp, she repaired to the charnel, to make sure it was untenanted. +Not content with this, she stole out into Saint Faith's, and gazing +round as far as the feeble light of her lamp would permit, called out in +a tone that even startled herself, "Is any one lurking there?" but +receiving no other answer than was afforded by the deep echoes of the +place, she returned to the vault. Just as she reached the door, a loud +cry burst upon her ear, and rushing forward, she found that her husband +had wakened. + +"Ah!" roared Malmayns, raising himself in bed, as he perceived her, "are +you come back again, you she-devil? Where is my mother? Where is +Kerrich? What have you done with them?" + +"They have both got the plague," replied his wife. "They caught it from +you. But never mind them. I will watch over you as long as you live." + +"And that will be for years, you accursed jade," replied the sexton; +"Dr. Hodges says I shall recover." + +"You have got worse since he left you," replied Judith. "Lie down, and +let me throw these blankets over you." + +"Off!" cried the sick man, furiously. "You shall not approach me. You +want to smother me." + +"I want to cure you," replied his wife, heaping the blankets upon the +pallet. "The doctor has sent some ointment for your sore." + +"Then let him apply it himself," cried Malmayns, shaking his fist at +her. "You shall not touch me. I will strangle you if you come near me." + +"Matthew," replied his wife, "I have had the plague myself, and know how +to treat it better than any doctor in London. I will cure you, if you +will let me." + +"I have no faith in you," replied Malmayns, "but I suppose I must +submit. Take heed what you do to me, for if I have but five minutes to +live, it will be long enough to revenge myself upon you." + +"I will anoint your sore with this salve," rejoined Judith, producing a +pot of dark-coloured ointment, and rubbing his shoulder with it. "It was +given me by Sibbald, the apothecary of Clerkenwell He is a friend of +Chowles, the coffin-maker. You know Chowles, Matthew?" + +"I know him for as great a rascal as ever breathed," replied her +husband, gruffly. "He has always cheated me out of my dues, and his +coffins are the worst I ever put under ground." + +"He is making his fortune now," said Judith. + +"By the plague, eh?" replied Matthew. "I don't envy him. Money so gained +won't stick to him. He will never prosper." + +"I wish _you_ had his money, Matthew," replied his wife, in a coaxing +tone. + +"If the plague hadn't attacked me when it did, I should have been richer +than Chowles will ever be," replied the sexton,--"nay, I am richer as it +is." + +"You surprise me," replied Judith, suddenly pausing in her task. "How +have you obtained your wealth?" + +"I have discovered a treasure," replied, the sexton, with a mocking +laugh,--"a secret hoard--a chest of gold--ha! ha!" + +"Where--where?" demanded his wife, eagerly. + +"That's a secret," replied Matthew. + +"I must have it from him before he dies," thought his wife. "Had we +better not secure it without delay?" she added, aloud. "Some other +person may find it." + +"Oh, it's safe enough," replied Matthew. "It has remained undiscovered +for more than a hundred years, and will continue so for a hundred to +come, unless I bring it forth." + +"But you _will_ bring it forth, won't you?" said Judith. + +"Undoubtedly," replied Matthew, "if I get better. But not otherwise. +Money would be of no use to me in the grave." + +"But it would be of use to _me_," replied his wife. + +"Perhaps it might," replied the sexton; "but if I die, the knowledge of +the treasure shall die with me." + +"He is deceiving me," thought Judith, beginning to rub his shoulder +afresh. + +"I suspect you have played me false, you jade," cried Malmayns, writhing +with pain. "The stuff you have applied burns like caustic, and eats into +my flesh." + +"It is doing its duty," replied his wife, calmly watching his agonies. +"You will soon be easier." + +"Perhaps I shall--in death," groaned the sufferer. "I am parched with +thirst. Give me a glass of water." + +"You shall have wine, Matthew, if you prefer it. I have a flask in my +pocket," she replied. "But what of the treasure--where is it?" + +"Peace!" he cried. "I will baulk your avaricious hopes. You shall never +know where it is." + +"I shall know as much as you do," she rejoined, in a tone of +incredulity. "I don't believe a word you tell me. You have found no +treasure." + +"If this is the last word I shall ever utter, I _have_," he returned; +--"a mighty treasure. But you shall never possess it--never!--ah! ah!" + +"Nor shall you have the wine," she replied; "there is water for you," +she added, handing him a jug, which he drained with frantic eagerness. +"He is a dead man," she muttered. + +"I am chilled to the heart," grasped the sexton, shivering from head to +foot, while chill damps gathered on his brow. "I have done wrong in +drinking the water, and you ought not to have given it me." + +"You asked for it," she replied. "You should have had wine but for your +obstinacy. But I will save you yet, if you will tell me where to find +the treasure." + +"Look for it in my grave," he returned, with a hideous grin. + +Soon after this, he fell into a sort of stupor. His wife could now have +easily put a period to his existence, but she still hoped to wrest the +secret from him. She was assured, moreover, that his recovery was +hopeless. At the expiration of about two hours, he was aroused by the +excruciating anguish of his sore. He had again become delirious, and +raved as before about coffins, corpses, graves, and other loathsome +matters. Seeing, from his altered looks and the livid and gangrenous +appearance which the tumour had assumed, that his end was not far off, +Judith resolved not to lose a moment, but to try the effect of a sudden +surprise. Accordingly, she bent down her head, and shouted in his ear, +"What has become of your treasure, Matthew?" + +The plan succeeded to a miracle. The dying man instantly raised himself. + +"My treasure!" he echoed with a yell that made the vault ring again. +"Well thought on! I have not secured it. They are carrying it off. I +must prevent them." And throwing off the coverings, he sprang out of +bed. + +"I shall have it now," thought his wife. "You are right," she +added,--"they are carrying it off. The vergers have discovered it. They +are digging it up. We must instantly prevent them." + +"We must!" shrieked Malmayns. "Bring the light! bring the light!" And +bursting open the door, he rushed into the adjoining aisle. + +"He will kill himself, and discover the treasure into the bargain," +cried Judith, following him. "Ah! what do I see! People in the church. +Curses on them! they have ruined my hopes." + + + + +VIII. THE MOSAICAL RODS. + +In pursuance of their design of seeking out an astrologer, Maurice Wyvil +and Lydyard crossed Cheapside and entered Friday-street. They had not +proceeded far, when they perceived a watchman standing beneath a porch +with a lantern in his hand, and thinking it an intimation that the house +was attacked by the plague, they hurried to the opposite side of the +street, and called to the watchman to inquire whether he knew where Mr. +Lilly lived. + +Ascertaining that the house they sought was only a short distance off, +they repaired thither, and knocking at the door, a small wicket, +protected by a grating, was open within it, and a sharp female voice +inquired their business. + +"Give this to your master, sweetheart," replied Wyvil, slipping a purse +through the grating; "and tell him that two gentlemen desire to consult +him." + +"He is engaged just now," replied the woman, in a much softer tone; "but +I will take your message to him." + +"You have more money than wit," laughed Lydyard. "You should have kept +back your fee till you had got the information." + +"In that case I should never have received any," replied Wyvil. "I have +taken the surest means of obtaining admission to the house." + +As he spoke, the door was unbolted by the woman, who proved to be young +and rather pretty. She had a light in her hand, and directing them to +follow her, led the way to a sort of anteroom, divided, as it appeared, +from a larger room by a thick black curtain. Drawing aside the drapery, +their conductress ushered them into the presence of three individuals, +who were seated at a table strewn with papers, most of which were +covered with diagrams and, astrological calculations. + +One of these persons immediately rose on their appearance, and gravely +but courteously saluted them. He was a tall man, somewhat advanced in +life, being then about sixty-three, with an aquiline nose, dark eyes, +not yet robbed of their lustre, grey hair waving over his shoulders, and +a pointed beard and moustache. The general expression of his countenance +was shrewd and penetrating, and yet there were certain indications of +credulity about it, showing that he was as likely to be imposed upon +himself as to delude others. It is scarcely necessary to say that this +was Lilly. + +The person on his right, whose name was John Booker, and who, like +himself, was a proficient in astrology, was so buried in calculation, +that he did not raise his eyes from the paper on the approach of the +strangers. He was a stout man, with homely but thoughtful features, and +though not more than a year older than Lilly, looked considerably his +senior. With the exception of a few silver curls hanging down the back +of his neck, he was completely bald; but his massive and towering brow +seemed to indicate the possession of no ordinary intellectual qualities. +He was a native of Manchester, and was born in 1601, of a good family. +"His excellent verses upon the twelve months," says Lilly, in his +autobiography, "framed according to the configurations of each month, +being blessed with success according to his predictions, procured him +much reputation all over England. He was a very honest man," continues +the same authority; "abhorred any deceit in the art he studied; had a +curious fancy in judging of thefts; and was successful in resolving +love-questions. He was no mean proficient in astronomy; understood much +in physic, was a great admirer of the antimonial cup; and not unlearned +in chemistry, which he loved well, but did not practise." At the period +of this history, he was clerk to Sir Hugh Hammersley, alderman. + +The third person,--a minor canon of Saint Paul's, named Thomas +Quatremain,--was a grave, sallow-complexioned man, with a morose and +repulsive physiognomy. He was habited in the cassock of a churchman of +the period, and his black velvet cap lay beside him on the table. Like +Booker, he was buried in calculations, and though he looked up for a +moment as the others entered the room, he instantly resumed his task, +without regard to their presence. + +After looking earnestly at his visitors for a few moments, and appearing +to study their features, Lilly motioned them to be seated; but they +declined the offer. + +"I am not come to take up your time, Mr. Lilly," said Wyvil, "but simply +to ask your judgment in a matter in which I am much interested." + +"First permit me to return you your purse, sir, since it is from you, I +presume, that I received it," replied the astrologer. "No information +that I can give deserves so large a reward as this." + +Wyvil would have remonstrated. But seeing the other resolute, he was +fain to concede the point. + +"What question do you desire to have resolved, sir?" pursued Lilly. + +"Shall I be fortunate in my hopes?" rejoined Wyvil. + +"You must be a little more precise," returned the astrologer. "To what +do your hopes relate?--to wealth, dignity, or love?" + +"To the latter," replied Wyvil. + +"So I inferred from your appearance, sir," rejoined Lilly, smiling. +"Venus was strong in your nativity, though well-dignified; and I should, +therefore, say you were not unfrequently entangled in love affairs. Your +inamorata, I presume, is young, perhaps fair,--blue-eyed, brown-haired, +tall, slender, and yet perfectly proportioned." + +"She is all you describe," replied Wyvil. + +"Is she of your own rank?" asked Lilly. + +"Scarcely so," replied Wyvil, hesitating before he answered the +question. + +"I will instantly erect a scheme," replied the astrologer, rapidly +tracing a figure on a sheet of paper. "The question refers to the +seventh house. I shall take Venus as the natural significatrix of the +lady. The moon is in trine with the lord of the ascendant,--so far, +good; but there is a cross aspect from Mars, who darts forth malicious +rays upon them. Your suit will probably be thwarted. But what Mars +bindeth, Venus dissolveth. It is not wholly hopeless. I should recommend +you to persevere." + +"Juggler!" exclaimed "Wyvil between his teeth. + +"I am no juggler!" replied Lilly, angrily; "and to prove I am not, I +will tell you who you are who thus insult me, though you have not +announced yourself, and are desirous of preserving your _incognito_. You +are the Earl of Rochester, and your companion is Sir George Etherege." + +"'Fore heaven! we are discovered," cried the earl; "but whether by art, +magic, or from previous acquaintance with our features, I pretend not to +determine." + +"In either case, my lord,--for it is useless, since you have avowed +yourself, to address you longer as Wyvil," replied Etherege,--"you owe +Mr. Lilly an apology for the insult you have offered him. It was as +undeserved as uncalled for; for he described your position with Amabel +exactly." + +"I am sorry for what I said," replied the earl, with great frankness, +"and entreat Mr. Lilly to overlook it, and impute it to its real +cause,--disappointment at his judgment." + +"I wish I could give you better hopes, my lord," replied Lilly; "but I +readily accept your apology. Have you any further questions to ask me?" + +"Not to-night," replied the earl; "except that I would gladly learn +whether it is your opinion that the plague will extend its ravages?" + +"It will extend them so far, my lord, that there shall neither be +buriers for the dead, nor sound to look after the sick," replied Lilly. +"You may have seen a little tract of mine published in 1651,--some +fourteen years ago,--called '_Monarchy or No Monarchy in England_,' in +which, by an hieroglyphic, I foretold this terrible calamity." + +"I heard his majesty speak of the book no later than yesterday," replied +Rochester. "He has the highest opinion of your skill, Mr. Lilly, as he +cannot blind himself to the fact that you foretold his father's death. +But this is not the only visitation with which you threaten our devoted +city." + +"It is threatened by Heaven, not by me, my lord," replied Lilly. "London +will be devoured by plague and consumed by fire." + +"In our time?" asked Etherege. + +"Before two years have passed over our heads," returned the astrologer. +"The pestilence originated in the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in +Sagittarius, on the 10th of last October, and the conjunction of Saturn +and Mars in the same sign, on the 12th of November. It was harbingered +also by the terrible comet of January, which appeared in a cadent and +obscure house, denoting sickness and death: and another and yet more +terrible comet, which will be found in the fiery triplicity of Aries, +Leo, and Sagittarius, will be seen before the conflagration." + +"My calculations are, that the plague will be at its worst in August and +September, and will not cease entirely till the beginning of December," +observed Booker, laying aside his pen. + +"And I doubt not you are right, sir," said Lilly, "for your calculations +are ever most exact." + +"My labour is not thrown away, Mr. Lilly," cried Quatremain, who had +finished his task at the same time. "I have discovered what I have long +suspected, that treasure _is_ hidden in Saint Paul's Cathedral. Mercury +is posited in the north angle of the fourth house; the dragon's tail is +likewise within it; and as Sol is the significator, it must be gold." + +"True," replied Lilly. + +"Furthermore," proceeded Quatremain, "as the sign is earthy, the +treasure must be buried in the vaults." + +"Undoubtedly," replied Booker. + +"I am all impatience to search for it," said Quatremain. "Let us go +there at once, and make trial of the mosaical rods." + +"With all my heart," replied Lilly. "My lord," he added to Rochester, "I +must pray you to excuse me. You have heard what claims my attention." + +"I have," returned the earl, "and should like to accompany you in the +quest, if you will permit me." + +"You must address yourself to Mr. Quatremain," rejoined Lilly. "If he +consents, I can make no objection." + +The minor canon, on being appealed to, signified his acquiescence, and +after some slight preparation, Lilly produced two hazel rods, and the +party set out. + +A few minutes' walking brought them to the northern entrance of the +cathedral, where they speedily aroused the poor verger, who began to +fancy he was to have no rest that night. On learning their purpose, +however, he displayed the utmost alacrity, and by Quatremain's +directions went in search of his brother-verger, and a mason, who, being +employed at the time in making repairs in the chantries, lodged within +the cathedral. + +This occasioned a delay of a few minutes, during which Rochester and +Etherege had an opportunity, like that enjoyed a short time before by +Leonard Holt, of beholding the magnificent effect of the columned aisles +by moonlight. By this time the other verger, who was a young and active +man, and the mason, arrived, and mattocks, spades, and an iron bar being +procured, and a couple of torches lighted, they descended to Saint +Faith's. + +Nothing more picturesque can be conceived than the effect of the +torchlight on the massive pillars and low-browed roof of the +subterranean church. Nor were the figures inappropriate to the scene. +Lilly, with the mosaical rods in his hand, which he held at a short +distance from the floor, moving first to one point, then to another; now +lingering within the gloomy nave, now within the gloomier aisles; the +grave minor canon, who kept close beside him, and watched his movements +with the most intense anxiety; Booker, with his venerable head +uncovered, and his bald brow reflecting the gleam of the torches; the +two court gallants in their rich attire; and the vergers and their +comrade, armed with the implements for digging;--all constituted a +striking picture. And as Rochester stepped aside to gaze at it, he +thought he had never beheld a more singular scene. + +Hitherto, no success had attended the searchers. The mosaical rods had +continued motionless. At length, however, Lilly reached a part of the +wall where a door appeared to have been stopped up, and playing the rods +near it, they turned one over the other. + +"The treasure is here!" he exclaimed. "It is hidden beneath this flag." + +Instantly, all were in action. Quatremain called to his assistants to +bring their mattocks and the iron bar. Rochester ran up and tendered his +aid; Etherege did the same; and in a few moments the flag was forced +from its position. + +On examination, it seemed as if the ground beneath it had been recently +disturbed, though it was carefully trodden down. But without stopping to +investigate the matter, the mason and the younger verger commenced +digging. When they were tired, Lilly and Quatremain took their places, +and in less than an hour they had got to the depth of upwards of four +feet. Still nothing had been found, and Lilly was just about to +relinquish his spade to the mason, when, plunging it more deeply into +the ground, it struck against some hard substance. + +"It is here--we have it!" he cried, renewing his exertions. + +Seconded by Quatremain, they soon cleared off the soil, and came to what +appeared to be a coffin or a large chest. Both then got out of the pit +to consider how they should remove the chest; the whole party were +discussing the matter, when a tremendous crash, succeeded by a terrific +yell, was heard at the other end of the church, and a ghastly and +half-naked figure, looking like a corpse broken from the tomb, rushed +forward with lightning swiftness, and shrieking--"My treasure!--my +treasure!--you shall not have it!"--thrust aside the group, and plunged +into the excavation. + +When the bystanders recovered sufficient courage to drag the unfortunate +sexton out of the pit, they found him quite dead. + + + + +IX. THE MINIATURE. + +According to his promise, Doctor Hodges visited the grocer's house early +on the following day, and the favourable opinion he had expressed +respecting Stephen Bloundel was confirmed by the youth's appearance. The +pustule had greatly increased in size; but this the doctor looked upon +as a good sign: and after applying fresh poultices, and administering a +hot posset-drink, he covered the patient with blankets, and recommending +as much tranquillity as possible, he proceeded, at Bloundel's request, +to ascertain the state of health of the rest of the family. Satisfied +that all the household (including Blaize, who, being a little out of +order from the quantity of medicine he had swallowed, kept his bed) were +uninfected, he went upstairs, and finding the two boys quite well, and +playing with their little sister Christiana, in the happy +unconsciousness of childhood, he tapped at the door of Mrs. Bloundel's +chamber, and was instantly admitted. Amabel did not raise her eyes at +his entrance, but continued the employment on which she was engaged. Her +mother, however, overwhelmed him with inquiries as to the sufferer, and +entreated him to prevail upon her husband to let her take his place at +the sick bed. + +"I cannot accede to your request, madam," replied Hodges; "because I +think the present arrangement the best that could be adopted." + +"And am I not to see poor Stephen again?" cried Mrs. Bloundel, bursting +into tears. + +"I hope you will soon see him again, and not lose sight of him for many +years to come," replied the doctor. "As far as I can judge, the danger +is over, and, aided by your husband's care and watchfulness, I have +little doubt of bringing the youth round." + +"You reconcile me to the deprivation, doctor," rejoined Mrs. Bloundel; +"but can you insure my husband against the distemper?" + +"I can insure no one against contagion," replied Hodges; "but there is +much in his favour. He has no fear, and takes every needful precaution. +You must hope for the best. I think it right to tell you, that you will +be separated from him for a month." + +"Separated from my husband for a month, doctor!" cried Mrs. Bloundel. "I +must see him to-day. I have something of importance to say to him." + +At this point of the conversation Amabel for the first time looked up. +Her eyes were red and inflamed with weeping, and her looks betrayed +great internal suffering. + +"You cannot see my father, mother," she said in a broken and +supplicatory tone. + +"But she can write to him, or send a message by me," rejoined Hodges. "I +will deliver it when I go downstairs." + +"What my mother has to say cannot be confided to a third party, sir," +returned Amabel. + +"Better defer it, then," said the doctor, who, as he looked hard at her, +and saw the colour mount to her cheeks, began to suspect something of +the truth. "Whatever you have to say, Mrs. Bloundel, may be very well +delayed; for the house is now closed, with a watchman at the door, and +will continue so for a month to come. No one can quit it, except members +of our profession, searchers, nurses, and other authorized persons, +during that time." + +"But can no one enter it, do you think?" asked Mrs. Bloundel. + +"No one would desire to do so, I should conceive, except a lover," +replied Hodges, with a sly look at Amabel, who instantly averted her +gaze. "Where a pretty girl is concerned, the plague itself has no +terrors." + +"Precisely my opinion, doctor," rejoined Mrs. Bloundel; "and as I cannot +consult my husband, perhaps you will favour me with your advice as to +how I ought to act, if such a person as you describe should get into the +house." + +"I seldom meddle with family matters," rejoined Hodges; "but I feel so +much interest in all that relates to Mr. Bloundel, that I am induced to +depart from my rule on the present occasion. It is evident you have lost +your heart," he added, to Amabel, whose blushes told him he was right; +"but not, I hope, to one of those worthless court-gallants, who, as I +learn from common report, are in the habit of toasting you daily. If it +is so, you must subdue your passion; for it cannot lead to good. Be not +dazzled by a brilliant exterior, which often conceals a treacherous +heart; but try to fix your affections on some person of little +pretension, but of solid worth. Never, I grieve to say, was there a +season when such universal profligacy prevailed as at present. Never was +it so necessary for a young maiden, possessed of beauty like yours, to +act with discretion. Never was a court so licentious as that of our +sovereign, Charles the Second, whose corrupt example is imitated by +every one around him, while its baneful influence extends to all +classes. Were I to echo the language of the preachers, I should say it +was owing to the wickedness and immorality of the times that this +dreadful judgment of the plague has been inflicted upon us; but I merely +bring it forward as an argument to prove to you, Amabel, that if you +would escape the moral contagion by which you are threatened, you must +put the strictest guard upon your conduct." + +Amabel faintly murmured her thanks. + +"You speak as my husband himself would have spoken," said Mrs. Bloundel. +"Ah! we little thought, when we prayed that the pestilence might be +averted from us, that a worse calamity was behind, and that one of the +most profligate of the courtiers you have mentioned would find his way +to our house." + +"One of the most profligate of them?" cried Hodges. "Who, in Heaven's +name?" + +"He calls himself Maurice Wyvil," replied Mrs. Bloundel. + +"I never heard of such a person," rejoined the doctor. "It must be an +assumed name. Have you no letter or token that might lead to his +discovery?" he added, turning to Amabel. + +"I have his portrait," she replied, drawing a small miniature from her +bosom. + +"I am glad I have seen this," said the doctor, slightly starting as he +cast his eyes upon it. "I hope it is not too late to save you, Amabel," +he added, in a severe tone. "I hope you are free from contamination?" + +"As I live, I am," she replied. "But you recognise the likeness?" + +"I do," returned Hodges. "It is the portrait of one whose vices and +depravity are the town's cry, and whose name coupled with that of a +woman, is sufficient to sully her reputation." + +"It is the Earl of Rochester," said Mrs. Bloundel. + +"You have guessed aright," replied the doctor; "it is." + +Uttering an exclamation of surprise and terror, Amabel fell back in her +chair. + +"I thought it must be that wicked nobleman," cried Mrs. Bloundel. "Would +you believe it, doctor, that he forced himself into the house--nay, into +this room--last night, and would have carried off my daughter, in spite +of her resistance, if I had not prevented him." + +"I can believe anything of him," replied Hodges. "But your husband, of +course, knows nothing of the matter?" + +"Not as yet," replied Mrs. Bloundel; "but I authorize you to tell him +all." + +"Mother, dear mother," cried Amabel, flinging herself on her knees +before her, "I implore you not to add to my father's present distress. I +might not have been able to conquer my attachment to Maurice Wyvil, but +now that I find he is the Earl of Rochester, I regard him with +abhorrence." + +"If I could believe you sincere," said Mrs. Bloundel, "I might be +induced to spare your father the pain which the knowledge of this +unfortunate affair would necessarily inflict." + +"I am sincere,--indeed I am," replied Amabel. + +"To prove that the earl could not have had honourable intentions towards +you, Amabel," said the doctor, "I may mention that he is at this moment +urging his suit with Mistress Mallet,--a young heiress." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Amabel. + +"I was in attendance upon Mistress Stewart, the king's present +favourite, the day before yesterday," continued Hodges, "and heard his +majesty entreat her to use her influence with Mistress Mallet in +Rochester's behalf. After this, you cannot doubt the nature of his +intentions towards yourself." + +"I cannot--I cannot," rejoined Amabel. "He is perfidy itself. But is +Mistress Mallet very beautiful, doctor?" + +"Very beautiful, and very rich," he replied, "and the earl is +desperately in love with her. I heard him declare laughingly to the +king, that if she would not consent to marry him, he would carry her +off." + +"Just what he said to me," exclaimed Amabel--"perjured and faithless +that he is!" + +"Harp on that string, doctor," whispered Mrs. Bloundel. "You understand +her feelings exactly." + +"Strangely enough," pursued the doctor, who, having carefully examined +the miniature, had opened the back of the case, and could not repress a +smile at what he beheld--"strangely enough, this very picture will +convince you of the earl's inconstancy. It was evidently designed for +Mistress Mallet, and, as she would not accept it, transferred to you." + +"How do you know this, sir?" inquired Amabel, in a mortified tone. + +"Hear what is written within it," answered Hodges, laying the open case +before her, and reading as follows: "'To the sole possessor of his +heart, the fair Mistress Mallet, this portrait is offered by her devoted +slave--ROCHESTER.' 'The _sole_ possessor of his heart!' So you have no +share in it, you perceive, Amabel. 'Her devoted slave!' Is he your slave +likewise? Ha! ha!" + +"It _is_ his writing," cried Amabel. "This note," she added, producing a +billet, "is in the same hand. My eyes are indeed open to his treachery." + +"I am glad to hear it," replied Hodges, "and if I can preserve you from +the snares of this noble libertine, I shall rejoice as much as in curing +your brother of the plague. But can you rely upon yourself, in case the +earl should make another attempt to see you?" + +"I can," she averred confidently. + +"In that case there is nothing to apprehend," rejoined Hodges; "and I +think it better on many accounts not to mention the subject to your +father. It would only distract his mind, and prevent him from duly +discharging the painful task he has undertaken. Were I in your place, +Amabel, I would not only forget my present perfidious lover, but would +instantly bestow my affections on some worthy person." + +"It would gladden me if she would do so," said Mrs. Bloundel. + +"There is your father's apprentice, Leonard Holt, a good-looking, +well-grown lad," pursued the doctor; "and I much mistake if he is +insensible to your attractions." + +"I am sure he loves her dearly, doctor," replied Mrs. Bloundel. "He is +as well-principled as well-looking. I have never had a fault to find +with him since he came to live with us. It will rejoice me, and I am +sure would not displease my husband, to see our child united to Leonard +Holt." + +"Well, what say you, Amabel?" asked Hodges. "Can you give him a hope?" + +"Alas, no!" replied Amabel; "I have been deceived once, but I will not +be deceived a second time. I will never wed." + +"So every woman says after her first disappointment," observed Hodges; +"but not one in ten adheres to the resolution. When you become calmer, I +would recommend you to think seriously of Leonard Holt." + +At this moment, a tap was heard at the door, and opening it, the doctor +beheld the person in question. + +"What is the matter?" cried Hodges. "I hope nothing is amiss." + +"Nothing whatever," replied Leonard, "but my master wishes to see you +before you leave the house." + +"I will go to him at once," replied the doctor. "Good day, Mrs. +Bloundel. Take care of your daughter, and I hope she will take care of +herself. We have been talking about you, young man," he added in a low +tone to the apprentice, "and I have recommended you as a husband to +Amabel." + +"There was a time, sir," rejoined Leonard, in a tone of deep emotion, +"when I hoped it might be so, but that time is past." + +"No such thing," replied the doctor. "Now is the time to make an +impression. Her heart is on the rebound. She is satisfied of her lover's +treachery. Her mother is on your side. Do not neglect the present +opportunity, for another may not arrive." With this he pushed Leonard +into the room, and, shutting the door upon him, hurried downstairs. + +"You have arrived at a seasonable juncture, Leonard," observed Mrs. +Bloundel, noticing the apprentice's perplexity, and anxious to relieve +it. "We have just discovered that the person calling himself Maurice +Wyvil is no other than the Earl of Rochester." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Leonard. + +"Yes, indeed," returned Mrs. Bloundel. "But this is not all. Amabel has +promised to forget him, and I have urged her to think of you." + +"Amabel," said Leonard, advancing towards her, and taking her hand, "I +can scarcely credit what I hear. Will you confirm your mother's words?" + +"Leonard," returned Amabel, "I am not insensible to your good qualities, +and no one can more truly esteem you than I do. Nay, till I +unfortunately saw the Earl of Rochester, whom I knew not as such, I +might have loved you. But now I cannot call my heart my own. I have not +the affection you deserve to bestow upon you. If I can obliterate this +treacherous man's image from my memory--and Heaven, I trust, will give +me strength to do so--I will strive to replace it with your own." + +"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." + +"I _have_ chosen," replied her daughter. + +Doctor Hodges found the grocer writing at a small table, close to the +bedside of his son. + +"I am happy to tell you, Mr. Bloundel," he said, in a low tone, as he +entered the room, "that all your family are still free from infection, +and with due care will, I hope, continue so. But I entirely approve of +your resolution of keeping apart from them till the month has expired. +If your son goes on as he is doing now, he will be as strong as ever in +less than a fortnight. Still, as we cannot foresee what may occur, it is +better to err on the cautious side." + +"Pray be seated for a moment," rejoined the grocer, motioning the other +to the chair. "I mentioned to you last night that in case my son +recovered, I had a plan which I trusted (under Providence!) would +preserve my family from the further assaults of the pestilence." + +"I remember your alluding to it," replied Hodges, "and should be glad to +know what it is." + +"I must tell it you in confidence," rejoined Bloundel, "because I think +secresy essential to its entire accomplishment. My plan is a very simple +one, and only requires firmness in its execution--and that quality, I +think, I possess. It is your opinion, I know, as it is my own, that the +plague will increase in violence and endure for months--probably, till +next winter. My intention is to store my house with provisions, as a +ship is victualled for a long voyage, and then to shut it up entirely +till the scourge ceases." + +"If your project is practicable," said Hodges, after a moment's +reflection, "I have no doubt it will be attended, with every good result +you can desire. This house, which is large and roomy, is well adapted +for your purpose. But you must consider well whether your family will +submit to be imprisoned during the long period you propose." + +"They shall remain close prisoners, even if the pestilence lasts for a +twelvemonth," replied the grocer. "Whoever quits the house, when it is +once closed, and on whatever plea, be it wife, son, or daughter, returns +not. That is my fixed resolve." + +"And you are right," rejoined Hodges, "for on that determination the +success of your scheme entirely depends." + +While they were thus conversing, Leonard entered the chamber, and +informed his master that Chowles, the coffin-maker, and Mrs. Malmayns, +the plague-nurse, desired to see him. + +"Mrs. Malmayns!" exclaimed Hodges, in surprise. "I heard that something +very extraordinary occurred last night in Saint Faith's. With your +permission, Mr. Bloundel, she shall be admitted; I want to ask her a few +questions. You had better hesitate about engaging her," he observed to +the grocer, as Leonard departed, "for she is a woman of very indifferent +character, though she may (for aught I know) be a good and fearless +nurse." + +"If there is any doubt about her, I _cannot_ hesitate," returned +Bloundel. + +As he said this, the door was opened by Leonard, and Chowles and Judith +entered the room. The latter, on seeing the doctor, looked greatly +embarrassed. + +"I have brought you the nurse I spoke of, Mr. Bloundel," said Chowles, +bowing, "and am come to inquire whether you want a coffin to-night." + +"Mr. Bloundel is not likely to require a coffin at present, Chowles," +returned the doctor, severely; "neither does his son stand in need of a +nurse. How is your husband, Mrs. Malmayns?" + +"He is dead, sir," replied Judith. + +"Dead!" echoed the doctor. "When I left him at one o'clock this morning, +he was doing well. Your attendance seems to have accelerated his end." + +"His death was occasioned by an accident, sir," replied Judith. "He +became delirious about three o'clock, and, in spite of all my efforts to +detain him, started out of bed, rushed into Saint Faith's, and threw +himself into a pit, which Mr. Lilly and some other persons had digged in +search of treasure." + +"This is a highly improbable story, Mrs. Malmayns," returned Hodges, +"and I must have the matter thoroughly investigated before I lose sight +of you." + +"I will vouch for the truth of Mrs. Malmayn's statement," interposed +Chowles. + +"You!" cried Hodges, contemptuously. + +"Yes, I," replied the coffin-maker. "It seems that the sexton had found +a chest of treasure buried in Saint Faith's, and being haunted by the +idea that some one was carrying it off, he suddenly sprang out of bed, +and rushed to the church, where, sure enough, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Quatremain, +the Earl of Rochester, and Sir George Etherege, having, by the help of +mosaical rods, discovered this very chest, were digging it up. Poor +Matthew instantly plunged into the grave, and died of a sudden chill." + +"That is not impossible," observed Hodges, after a pause. "But what has +become of the treasure?" + +"It is in the possession of Mr. Quatremain, who has given notice of it +to the proper authorities," replied Chowles. "It consists, as I +understand, of gold pieces struck in the reign of Philip and Mary, +images of the same metal, crosses, pyxes, chalices, and other Popish and +superstitious vessels, buried, probably, when Queen Elizabeth came to +the throne, and the religion changed." + +"Not unlikely," replied Hodges. "Where is your husband's body, Mrs. +Malmayns?" + +"It has been removed to the vault which he usually occupied," replied +Judith. "Mr. Chowles has undertaken to bury it to-night." + +"I must see it first," replied Hodges, "and be sure that he has not met +with foul play." + +"And I will accompany you," said Chowles. "So you do not want a coffin, +Mr. Bloundel?" + +The grocer shook his head. + +"Good day, Mr. Bloundel," said Hodges. "I shall visit you to-morrow, and +hope to find your son as well as I leave him. Chowles, you will be +answerable for the safe custody of Mrs. Malmayns." + +"I have no desire to escape, sir," replied the nurse. "You will find +everything as I have represented." + +"We shall see," replied the doctor. "If not, you will have to tend the +sick in Newgate." + +The trio then proceeded to Saint Paul's, and descended to the vaults. +Hodges carefully examined the body of the unfortunate sexton, but though +he entertained strong suspicions, he could not pronounce positively that +he had been improperly treated; and as the statement of Mrs. Malmayns +was fully borne out by the vergers and others, he did not think it +necessary to pursue the investigation further. As soon as he was gone, +Judith accompanied the coffin-maker to his residence, where she +remained, till the evening, when she was suddenly summoned, in a case of +urgency, by a messenger from Sibbald, the apothecary of Clerkenwell. + + + + +X. THE DUEL. + +After Parravicin's terrible announcement, Disbrowe offered him no +further violence, but, flinging down his sword, burst open the door, and +rushed upstairs. His wife was still insensible, but the fatal mark that +had betrayed the presence of the plague to the knight manifested itself +also to him, and he stood like one entranced, until Mrs. Disbrowe, +recovering from her swoon, opened her eyes, and, gazing at him, +cried--"You here!--Oh Disbrowe, I dreamed you had deserted me--had sold +me to another." + +"Would it were a dream!" replied her husband. + +"And was it not so?" she rejoined, pressing her hand to her temples. "It +is true! oh! yes, I feel it is. Every circumstance rushes upon me +plainly and distinctly. I see the daring libertine before me. He stood +where you stand, and told me what you had done." + +"What did he tell you, Margaret?" asked Disbrowe in a hollow voice. + +"He told me you were false--that you loved another, and had abandoned +me." + +"He lied!" exclaimed Disbrowe, in a voice of uncontrollable fury. "It is +true that, in a moment of frenzy, I was tempted to set you--yes, _you_, +Margaret--against all I had lost at play, and was compelled to yield up +the key of my house to the winner. But I have never been faithless to +you--never." + +"Faithless or not," replied his wife, bitterly, "it is plain you value +me less than play, or you would not have acted thus." + +"Reproach me not, Margaret," replied Disbrowe; "I would give worlds to +undo what I have done." + +"Who shall guard me against the recurrence of such conduct?" said Mrs. +Disbrowe, coldly. "But you have not yet informed me how I was saved." + +Disbrowe averted his head. + +"What mean you?" she cried, seizing his arm. "What has happened? Do not +keep me in suspense? Were you my preserver?" + +"Your preserver was the plague," rejoined Disbrowe, in a sombre tone. + +The unfortunate lady then, for the first time, perceived that she was +attacked by the pestilence, and a long and dreadful pause ensued, broken +only by exclamations of anguish from both. + +"Disbrowe!" cried Margaret, at length, raising herself in bed, "you have +deeply--irrecoverably injured me. But promise me one thing." + +"I swear to do whatever you may desire," he replied. + +"I know not, after what I have heard, whether you have courage for the +deed," she continued. "But I would have you kill this man." + +"I will do it," replied Disbrowe. + +"Nothing but his blood can wipe out the wrong he has done me," she +rejoined. "Challenge him to a duel--a mortal duel. If he survives, by my +soul, I will give myself to him." + +"Margaret!" exclaimed Disbrowe. + +"I swear it," she rejoined. "And you know my passionate nature too well +to doubt I will keep my word." + +"But you have the plague!" + +"What does that matter? I may recover." + +"Not so," muttered Disbrowe. "If I fall, I will take care you do not +recover. I will fight him to-morrow," he added aloud. + +He then summoned his servants, but when they found their mistress was +attacked by the plague, they framed some excuse to leave the room, and +instantly fled the house. Driven almost to his wits' end, Disbrowe went +in search of other assistance, and was for a while unsuccessful, until a +coachman, to whom he applied, offered, for a suitable reward, to drive +to Clerkenwell--to the shop of an apothecary named Sibbald (with whose +name the reader is already familiar), who was noted for his treatment of +plague patients, and to bring him to the other's residence. Disbrowe +immediately closed with the man, and in less than two hours Sibbald made +his appearance. He was a singular and repulsive personage, with an +immense hooked nose, dark, savage-looking eyes, a skin like parchment, +and high round shoulders, which procured him the nickname of Aesop among +his neighbours. He was under the middle size, and of a spare figure, and +in age might be about sixty-five. + +On seeing Mrs. Disbrowe, he at once boldly asserted that he could cure +her, and proceeded to apply his remedies. Finding the servants fled, he +offered to procure a nurse for Disbrowe, and the latter, thanking him, +eagerly embraced the offer. Soon after this he departed. In the evening +the nurse, who (as may be surmised) was no other than Judith Malmayns, +arrived, and immediately commenced her functions. + +Disbrowe had no rest that night. His wife slept occasionally for a few +minutes, but, apparently engrossed by one idea, never failed when she +awoke to urge him to slay Parravicin; repeating her oath to give herself +to the knight if he came off victorious. Worn out at length, Disbrowe +gave her a terrible look, and rushed out of the room. + +He had not been alone many minutes when he was surprised by the entrance +of Judith. He eagerly inquired whether his wife was worse, but was +informed she had dropped into a slumber. + +"Hearing what has passed between you," said the nurse, "and noticing +your look when you left the room, I came to tell you, that if you fall +in this duel, your last moments need not be embittered by any thoughts +of your wife. I will take care she does not recover." + +A horrible smile lighted up Disbrowe's features. + +"You are the very person I want," he said. "When I would do evil, the +fiend rises to my bidding. If I am slain, you know what to do. How shall +I requite the service?" + +"Do not concern yourself about that, captain," rejoined Judith. "I will +take care of myself." + +About noon, on the following day, Disbrowe, without venturing to see his +wife, left the house, and proceeded to the Smyrna, where, as he +expected, he found Parravicin and his companions. + +The knight instantly advanced towards him, and, laying aside for the +moment his reckless air, inquired, with a look of commiseration, after +his wife. + +"She is better," replied Disbrowe, fiercely. "I am come to settle +accounts with you." + +"I thought they were settled long ago," returned Parravicin, instantly +resuming his wonted manner. "But I am glad to find you consider the debt +unpaid." + +Disbrowe lifted the cane he held in his hand, and struck the knight with +it forcibly on the shoulder. "Be that my answer," he said. + +"I will have your life first, and your wife afterwards," replied +Parravicin, furiously. + +"You shall have her if you slay me, but not otherwise," retorted +Disbrowe. "It must be a mortal duel." + +"It must," replied Parravicin. "I will not spare you this time." + +"Spare him!" cried Pillichody. "Shield of Agamemnon! I should hope not. +Spit him as you would a wild boar." + +"Peace, fool!" cried Parravicin. "Captain Disbrowe, I shall instantly +proceed to the west side of Hyde Park, beneath the trees. I shall expect +you there. On my return I shall call on your wife." + +"I pray you do so, sir," replied Disbrowe, disdainfully. + +Both then quitted the coffee-house, Parravicin attended by Rochester and +Pillichody, and Disbrowe accompanied by a military friend, whom he +accidentally encountered. Each party taking a coach, they soon reached +the ground,--a retired spot, completely screened from observation by +trees. The preliminaries were soon arranged, for neither would admit of +delay. The conflict then commenced with great fury on both sides; but +Parravicin, in spite of his passion, observed far more caution than his +antagonist; and, taking advantage of an unguarded movement, occasioned +by the other's impetuosity, passed his sword through his body. + +Disbrowe fell. + +"You are again successful," he groaned, "but save my wife--save her." + +"What mean you?" cried Parravicin, leaning over him, as he wiped his +sword. + +But Disbrowe could make no answer. His utterance was choked by a sudden +effusion of blood on the lungs, and he instantly expired. Leaving the +body in care of the second, Parravicin and his friends returned to the +coach, where the major rejoiced greatly at the issue of the duel; but +the knight looked grave, and pondered upon the words of the dying man. +After a time, however, he recovered his spirits, and dined with his +friends at the Smyrna; but they observed that he drank more deeply than +usual. His excesses did not, however, prevent him from playing with his +usual skill, and he won a large sum from Rochester at hazard. + +Flushed with success, and heated with wine, he walked up to Disbrowe's +residence about an hour after midnight. As he approached the house, he +observed a strangely-shaped cart at the door, and, halting for a moment, +saw a body, wrapped in a shroud, brought out. Could it be Mrs. Disbrowe? +Rushing forward, to one of the assistants in black cloaks--and who was +no other than Chowles--he asked whom he was about to inter. + +"It is a Mrs. Disbrowe," replied the coffin-maker. "She died of grief, +because her husband was killed this morning in a duel; but as she had +the plague, it must be put down to that. We are not particular in such +matters, and shall bury her and her husband together; and as there is no +money left to pay for coffins, they must go to the grave without them. +What, ho! Mother Malmayns, let Jonas have the captain as soon as you +have stripped him. I must be starting." + +And as the body of his victim was brought forth, Parravicin fell against +the wall in a state almost of stupefaction. + +At this moment Solomon Eagle, with his brazier on his head, suddenly +turned the corner of the street, and stationing himself before the +dead-cart, cried in a voice of thunder, "Woe to the libertine! woe to +the homicide! for he shall perish in everlasting fire! Woe! woe!" + + + + +BOOK THE SECOND. + +MAY, 1665. + + + + +I. PROGRESS OF THE PESTILENCE. + +Towards the middle of May, the bills of mortality began to swell greatly +in amount, and though but few were put down to the plague, and a large +number to the spotted fever (another frightful disorder raging at the +period), it is well known that the bulk had died of the former disease. +The rigorous measures adopted by the authorities (whether salutary or +not has been questioned), in shutting up houses and confining the sick +and sound within them for forty days, were found so intolerable, that +most persons were disposed to run any risk rather than be subjected to +such a grievance, and every artifice was resorted to for concealing a +case when it occurred. Hence, it seldom happened, unless by accident, +that a discovery was made. Quack doctors were secretly consulted, +instead of the regular practitioners; the searchers were bribed to +silence; and large fees were given to the undertakers and buriers to lay +the deaths to the account of some other disorder. All this, however, did +not blind the eyes of the officers to the real state of things. +Redoubling their vigilance, they entered houses on mere suspicion; +inflicted punishments where they found their orders disobeyed or +neglected; sent the sound to prison,--the sick to the pest-house; and +replaced the faithless searchers by others upon whom they could place +reliance. Many cases were thus detected; but in spite of every +precaution, the majority escaped; and the vent was no sooner stopped in +one quarter than it broke out with additional violence in another. + +By this time the alarm had become general. All whose business or +pursuits permitted it, prepared to leave London, which they regarded as +a devoted city, without delay. As many houses were, therefore, closed +from the absence of the inhabitants as from the presence of the plague, +and this added to the forlorn appearance of the streets, which in some +quarters were almost deserted. For a while, nothing was seen at the +great outlets of the city but carts, carriages, and other vehicles, +filled with goods and movables, on their way to the country; and, as may +be supposed, the departure of their friends did not tend to abate the +dejection of those whose affairs compelled them to remain behind. + +One circumstance must not be passed unnoticed, namely, the continued +fineness and beauty of the weather. No rain had fallen for upwards of +three weeks. The sky was bright and cloudless; the atmosphere, +apparently, pure and innoxious; while the heat was as great as is +generally experienced in the middle of summer. But instead of producing +its usual enlivening effect on the spirits, the fine weather added to +the general gloom and apprehension, inasmuch as it led to the belief +(afterwards fully confirmed), that if the present warmth was so +pernicious, the more sultry seasons which were near at hand would +aggravate the fury of the pestilence. Sometimes, indeed, when the deaths +were less numerous, a hope began to be entertained that the distemper +was abating, and confidence was for a moment restored; but these +anticipations were speedily checked by the reappearance of the scourge, +which seemed to baffle and deride all human skill and foresight. + +London now presented a lamentable spectacle. Not a street but had a +house in it marked with a red cross--some streets had many such. The +bells were continually tolling for burials, and the dead-carts went +their melancholy rounds at night and were constantly loaded. Fresh +directions were issued by the authorities; and as domestic animals were +considered to be a medium of conveying the infection, an order, which +was immediately carried into effect, was given to destroy all dogs and +cats. But this plan proved prejudicial rather than the reverse, as the +bodies of the poor animals, most of which were drowned in the Thames, +being washed ashore, produced a horrible and noxious effluvium, supposed +to contribute materially to the propagation of the distemper. + +No precautionary measure was neglected; but it may be doubted whether +any human interference could have averted the severity of the scourge, +which, though its progress might be checked for a few days by attention, +or increased in the same ratio by neglect, would in the end have +unquestionably fulfilled its mission. The College of Physicians, by the +king's command, issued simple and intelligible directions, in the mother +tongue, for the sick. Certain of their number, amongst whom was the +reader's acquaintance, Doctor Hodges, were appointed to attend the +infected; and two out of the Court of Aldermen were required to see that +they duly executed their dangerous office. Public prayers and a general +fast were likewise enjoined. But Heaven seemed deaf to the supplications +of the doomed inhabitants--their prayers being followed by a fearful +increase of deaths. A vast crowd was collected within Saint Paul's to +hear a sermon preached by Doctor Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury,--a +prelate greatly distinguished during the whole course of the visitation, +by his unremitting charity and attention to the sick; and before the +discourse was concluded, several fell down within the sacred walls, and, +on being conveyed to their own homes, were found to be infected. On the +following day, too, many others who had been present were seized with +the disorder. + +A fresh impulse was given to the pestilence from an unlooked for cause. +It has been mentioned that the shutting up of houses and seclusion of +the sick were regarded as an intolerable grievance, and though most were +compelled to submit to it, some few resisted, and tumults and +disturbances ensued. As the plague increased, these disturbances became +more frequent, and the mob always taking part against the officers, they +were frequently interrupted in the execution of their duty. + +About this time a more serious affray than usual occurred, attended-with +loss of life and other unfortunate consequences, which it may be worth +while to relate, as illustrative of the peculiar state of the times. The +wife of a merchant, named Barcroft, residing in Lothbury, being attacked +by the plague, the husband, fearing his house would be shut up, withheld +all information from the examiners and searchers. His wife died, and +immediately afterwards one of his children was attacked. Still he +refused to give notice. The matter, however, got wind. The searchers +arrived at night, and being refused admittance, they broke into the +house. Finding undoubted evidence of infection, they ordered it to be +closed, stationed a watchman at the door, and marked it with the fatal +sign. Barcroft remonstrated against their proceedings, but in vain. They +told him he might think himself well off that he was not carried before +the Lord Mayor, who would undoubtedly send him to Ludgate; and with +other threats to the like effect, they departed. + +The unfortunate man's wife and child were removed the following night in +the dead-cart, and, driven half-mad by grief and terror, he broke open +the door of his dwelling, and, plunging a sword in the watchman's +breast, who opposed his flight, gained the street. A party of the watch +happened to be passing at the time, and the fugitive was instantly +secured. He made a great clamour, however,--calling to his neighbours +and the bystanders to rescue him, and in another moment the watch was +beaten off, and Barcroft placed on a post, whence he harangued his +preservers on the severe restraints imposed upon the citizens, urging +them to assist in throwing open the doors of all infected houses, and +allowing free egress to their inmates. + +Greedily listening to this insane counsel, the mob resolved to act upon +it. Headed by the merchant, they ran down Thread-needle-street, and, +crossing Stock's Market, burst open several houses in Bearbinder-lane, +and drove away the watchmen. One man, more courageous than the others, +tried to maintain his post, and was so severely handled by his +assailants, that he died a few days afterwards of the injuries he had +received. Most of those who had been imprisoned within their dwellings +immediately issued forth, and joining the mob, which received fresh +recruits each moment, started on the same errand. + +Loud shouts were now raised of--"Open the doors! No plague prisoners! No +plague prisoners!" and the mob set off along the Poultry. They halted, +however, before the Great Conduit, near the end of Bucklersbury, and +opposite Mercer's Hall, because they perceived a company of the +Train-bands advancing to meet them. A council of war was held, and many +of the rabble were disposed to fly; but Barcroft again urged them to +proceed, and they were unexpectedly added by Solomon Eagle, who, +bursting through their ranks, with his brazier on his head, crying, +"Awake! sleepers, awake! the plague is at your doors! awake!" speeded +towards the Train-bands, scattering sparks of fire as he pursued his +swift career. The mob instantly followed, and, adding their shouts to +his outcries, dashed on with such fury that the Train-bands did not dare +to oppose them, and, after a slight and ineffectual resistance, were put +to rout. + +Barcroft, who acted as leader, informed them that there was a house in +Wood-street shut up, and the crowd accompanied him thither. In a few +minutes they had reached Bloundel's shop, but finding no one on +guard--for the watchman, guessing their errand, had taken to his +heels--they smeared over the fatal cross and inscription with a pail of +mud gathered from the neighbouring kennel, and then broke open the door. +The grocer and his apprentice hearing the disturbance, and being greatly +alarmed at it, hurried to the shop, and found it full of people. + +"You are at liberty Mr. Bloundel," cried the merchant, who was +acquainted with the grocer. "We are determined no longer to let our +families be imprisoned at the pleasure of the Lord Mayor and aldermen. +We mean to break open all the plague houses, and set free their +inmates." + +"For Heaven's sake, consider what you are about, Mr. Barcroft," cried +the grocer. "My house has been closed for nearly a month. Nay, as my son +has entirely recovered, and received his certificate of health from +Doctor Hodges, it would have been opened in three days hence by the +officers; so that I have suffered all the inconvenience of the +confinement, and can speak to it. It is no doubt very irksome, and may +be almost intolerable to persons of an impatient temperament: but I +firmly believe it is the only means to check the progress of contagion. +Listen to me, Mr. Barcroft--listen to me, good friends, and hesitate +before you violate laws which have been made expressly to meet this +terrible emergency." + +Here he was checked by loud groans and upbraidings from the bystanders. + +"He tells you himself that the period of his confinement is just over," +cried Barcroft. "It is plain he has no interest in the matter, except +that he would have others suffer as he has done. Heed him not, my +friends; but proceed with the good work. Liberate the poor plague +prisoners. Liberate them. On! on!" + +"Forbear, rash men," cried Bloundel, in an authoritative voice. "In the +name of those you are bound to obey, I command you to desist." + +"Command us!" cried one of the bystanders, raising his staff in a +menacing manner. "Is this your gratitude for the favour we have just +conferred upon you? Command us, forsooth! You had better repeat the +order, and see how it will be obeyed." + +"I _do_ repeat it," rejoined the grocer, firmly. "In the Lord Mayor's +name, I command you to desist, and return to your homes." + +The man would have struck him with his staff, if he had not been himself +felled to the ground by Leonard. This was the signal for greater +outrage. The grocer and his apprentice were instantly assailed by +several others of the mob, who, leaving them both on the floor covered +with bruises, helped themselves to all they could lay hands on in the +shop, and then quitted the premises. + +It is scarcely necessary to track their course further; and it may be +sufficient to state, that they broke open upwards of fifty houses in +different streets. Many of the plague-stricken joined them, and several +half-naked creatures were found dead in the streets on the following +morning. Two houses in Blackfriars-lane were set on fire, and the +conflagration was with difficulty checked; nor was it until late on the +following day that the mob could be entirely dispersed. The originator +of the disturbance, Barcroft, after a desperate resistance, was shot +through the head by a constable. + +The result of this riot, as will be easily foreseen, was greatly to +increase the pestilence; and many of those who had been most active in +it perished in prison of the distemper. Far from being discouraged by +the opposition offered to their decrees, the city authorities enforced +them with greater rigour than ever, and, doubling the number of the +watch, again shut up all those houses which had been broken open during +the late tumult. + +Bloundel received a visit from the Lord Mayor, Sir John Lawrence, who, +having been informed of his conduct, came to express his high approval +of it, offering to remit the few days yet unexpired of his quarantine. +The grocer, however, declined the offer, and with renewed expressions of +approbation, Sir John Lawrence took his leave. + +Three days afterwards, the Examiner of Health pronounced the grocer's +house free from infection. The fatal mark was obliterated from the door; +the shutters were unfastened; and Bloundel resumed his business as +usual. Words are inadequate to describe the delight that filled the +breast of every member of his family, on their first meeting after their +long separation. It took place in the room adjoining the shop. Mrs. +Bloundel received the joyful summons from Leonard, and, on descending +with her children, found her husband and her son Stephen anxiously +expecting her. Scarcely able to make up her mind as to which of the two +she should embrace first, Mrs. Bloundel was decided by the pale +countenance of her son, and rushing towards him, she strained him to her +breast, while Amabel flew to her father's arms. The grocer could not +repress his tears; but they were tears of joy, and that night's +happiness made him ample amends for all the anxiety he had recently +undergone. + +"Well, Stephen, my dear child," said his mother, as soon as the first +tumult of emotion had subsided,--"well, Stephen," she said, smiling at +him through her tears, and almost smothering him with kisses, "you are +not so much altered as I expected; and I do not think, if I had had the +care of you, I could have nursed you better myself. You owe your father +a second life, and we all owe him the deepest gratitude for the care he +has taken of you." + +"I can never be sufficiently grateful for his kindness," returned +Stephen, affectionately. + +"Give thanks to the beneficent Being who has preserved you from this +great danger, my son, not to me," returned Bloundel. "The first moments +of our reunion should be worthily employed." + +So saying, he summoned the household, and, for the first time for a +month, the whole family party assembled, as before, at prayer. Never +were thanksgivings more earnestly, more devoutly uttered. All arose with +bright and cheerful countenances; and even Blaize seemed to have shaken +off his habitual dread of the pestilence. As he retired with Patience, +he observed to her, "Master Stephen looks quite well, though a little +thinner. I must ascertain from him the exact course of treatment pursued +by his father. I wonder whether Mr. Bloundel would nurse _me_ if I were +to be suddenly seized with the distemper?" + +"If he wouldn't, I _would_," replied Patience. + +"Thank you, thank you," replied Blaize. "I begin to think we shall get +through it. I shall go out to-morrow and examine the bills of mortality, +and see what progress the plague is making. I am all anxiety to know. I +must get a fresh supply of medicine, too. My private store is quite +gone, except three of my favourite rufuses, which I shall take before I +go to bed to-night. Unluckily, my purse is as empty as my phials." + +"I can lend you a little money," said Patience. "I haven't touched my +last year's wages. They are quite at your service." + +"You are too good," replied Blaize; "but I won't decline the offer. I +heard a man crying a new anti-pestilential elixir, as he passed the +house yesterday. I must find him out and buy a bottle. Besides, I must +call on my friend Parkhurst, the apothecary.--You are a good girl, +Patience, and I'll marry you as soon as the plague ceases." + +"I have something else to give you," rejoined Patience. "This little bag +contains a hazel-nut, from which I have picked the kernel, and filled +its place with quicksilver, stopping the hole with wax. Wear it round +your neck, and you will find it a certain preservative against the +pestilence." + +"Who told you of this remedy?" asked Blaize, taking the bag. + +"Your mother," returned Patience. + +"I wonder I never heard of it," said the porter. + +"She wouldn't mention it to you, because the doctor advised her not to +put such matters into your head," replied Patience. "But I couldn't help +indulging you. Heigho! I hope the plague will soon be over." + +"It won't be over for six months," rejoined Blaize, shaking his head. "I +read in a little book, published in 1593, in Queen Elizabeth's reign, +and written by Simon Kelway, 'that when little children flock together, +and pretend that some of their number are dead, solemnizing the burial +in a mournful sort, it is a certain token that a great mortality is at +hand.' This I have myself seen more than once. Again, just before the +great sickness of 1625, the churchyard wall of St. Andrew's, Holborn, +fell down. I need not tell you that the same thing occurred after the +frost this winter." + +"I heard of it," replied Patience: "but I did not know it was a bad +sign." + +"It is a dreadful sign," returned Blaize, with a shudder "The thought of +it brings back my old symptoms. I must have a supper to guard against +infection--a slice of toasted bread, sprinkled with vinegar, and +powdered with nutmeg." + +And chattering thus, they proceeded to the kitchen. + +Before supper could be served, Dr. Hodges made his appearance. He was +delighted to see the family assembled together again, and expressed a +hearty wish that they might never more be divided. He watched Amabel and +Leonard carefully, and seemed annoyed that the former rather shunned +than favoured the regards of the apprentice. + +Leonard, too, looked disconcerted; and though he was in possession of +his mistress's promise, he did not like to reclaim it. During the whole +of the month, he had been constantly on the watch, and had scarcely +slept at night, so anxious was he to prevent the possibility of any +communication taking place between Rochester and his mistress. But, in +spite of all his caution, it was possible he might be deceived. And when +on this, their first meeting, she returned his anxious gaze with averted +looks, he felt all his jealous misgivings return. + +Supper, meanwhile, proceeded. Doctor Hodges was in excellent spirits, +and drank a bottle of old sack with great relish. Overcome by the sight +of his wife and children, the grocer abandoned himself to his feelings. +As to his wife, she could scarcely contain herself, but wept and laughed +by turns--now embracing her husband, now her son, between whom she had +placed herself. Nor did she forget Doctor Hodges; and such was the +exuberance of her satisfaction, that when the repast was ended, she +arose, and, flinging her arms about his neck, termed him the preserver +of her son. + +"If any one is entitled to that appellation it is his father," replied +Hodges, "and I may say, that in all my experience I have never witnessed +such generous self-devotion as Mr. Bloundel has exhibited towards his +son. You must now be satisfied, madam, that no person can so well judge +what is proper for the safety of his family as your husband." + +"I never doubted it, sir," replied Mrs. Bloundel. + +"I must apprise you, then, that he has conceived a plan by which he +trusts to secure you and his children and household from any future +attack," returned Hodges. + +"I care not what it is, so it does not separate me from him," replied +Mrs. Bloundel. + +"It does not," replied the grocer. "It will knit us more closely +together than we have yet been. I mean to shut up my house, having +previously stored it with provisions for a twelvemonth, and shall suffer +no member of my family to stir forth as long as the plague endures." + +"I am ready to remain within doors, if it continues twenty years," +replied his wife. "But how long do you think it _will_ last, doctor?" + +"Till next December, I have no doubt," returned Hodges. + +"So long?" exclaimed Amabel. + +"Ay, so long," repeated the doctor. "It has scarcely begun now. Your +father is right to adopt these precautions. It is the only way to insure +the safety of his family." + +"But----" cried Amabel. + +"I am resolved," interrupted Bloundel, peremptorily. "Who ever leaves +the house--if but for a moment--never returns." + +"And when do you close it, father?" asked Amabel. + +"A week hence," replied the grocer; "as soon as I have laid in a +sufficient stock of provisions." + +"And am I not to leave the house for a year?" cried Amabel, with a +dissatisfied look. + +"Why should you wish to leave it?" asked her father, curiously. + +"Ay, why?" repeated Leonard, in a low tone. "I shall be here." + +Amabel seemed confused, and looked from her father to Leonard. The +former, however, did not notice her embarrassment, but observed to +Hodges--"I shall begin to victual the house to-morrow." + +"Amabel," whispered Leonard, "you told me if I claimed your hand in a +month, you would yield it to me. I require the fulfilment of your +promise." + +"Give me till to-morrow," she replied, distractedly. + +"She has seen Rochester," muttered the apprentice, turning away. + + + + +II. IN WHAT MANNER THE GROCER VICTUALLED HIS HOUSE. + +Leonard Holt was wrong in his suspicions. Amabel had neither seen nor +heard from Rochester. But, if the truth must be told, he was never out +of her mind, and she found, to her cost, that the heart will not be +controlled. Convinced of her noble lover's perfidy, and aware she was +acting wrongfully in cherishing a passion for him, after the exposure of +his base designs towards herself, no reasoning of which she was capable +could banish him from her thoughts, or enable her to transfer her +affections to the apprentice. + +This conflict of feeling produced its natural result. She became +thoughtful and dejected--was often in tears--had no appetite--and could +scarcely rouse herself sufficiently to undertake any sort of employment. +Her mother watched her with great anxiety, and feared--though she sought +to disguise it from herself--what was the real cause of her despondency. + +Things were in this position at the end of the month, and it occasioned +no surprise to Mrs. Bloundel, though it afflicted her deeply, to find +that Amabel sedulously avoided the apprentice's regards on their first +meeting. When Doctor Hodges was gone, and the rest of the family had +retired, she remarked to her husband, "Before you shut up the house as +you propose, I should, wish one important matter settled." + +The grocer inquired what she meant. + +"I should wish to have Amabel married," was the answer. + +"Married!" exclaimed Bloundel, in astonishment. "To whom?" + +"To Leonard Holt." + +Bloundel could scarcely repress his displeasure. + +"It will be time enough to talk of that a year hence," he answered. + +"I don't think so," returned his wife; "and now, since the proper time +for the disclosure of the secret has arrived, I must tell you that the +gallant who called himself Maurice Wyvil, and whom you so much dreaded, +was no other than the Earl of Rochester." + +"Rochester!" echoed the grocer, while an angry flush stained his cheek; +"has that libertine dared to enter my house?" + +"Ay, and more than once," replied Mrs. Bloundel. + +"Indeed!" cried her husband, with difficulty controlling his +indignation. "When was he here?--tell me quickly." + +His wife then proceeded to relate all that had occurred, and he listened +with profound attention to her recital. At its close, he arose and paced +the chamber for some time in great agitation. + +At length he suddenly paused, and, regarding his wife with great +sternness, observed, in a severe tone, "You have done very wrong in +concealing this from me, Honora--very wrong." + +"If I have erred, it was to spare you uneasiness," returned Mrs. +Bloundel, bursting into tears. "Doctor Hodges agreed with me that it was +better not to mention the subject while you had so many other anxieties +pressing upon you." + +"I have a stout heart, and a firm reliance on the goodness of Heaven, +which will enable me to bear up against most evils," returned the +grocer. "But on this point I ought, under any circumstances, to have +been consulted. And I am greatly surprised that Doctor Hodges should +advise the contrary." + +"He was influenced, like myself, by the kindliest feelings towards you," +sobbed Mrs. Bloundel. + +"Well, well, I will not reproach you further," returned the grocer, +somewhat moved by her tears. "I have no doubt you conceived you were +acting for the best. But I must caution you against such conduct for the +future." After a pause, he added, "Is it your opinion that our poor +deluded child still entertains any regard for this profligate nobleman?" + +"I am sure she does," replied Mrs. Bloundel; "and it is from that +conviction that I so strongly urge the necessity of marrying her to +Leonard Holt." + +"I will never compel her to do anything to endanger her future +happiness," returned the grocer. "She must not marry Leonard Holt +without loving him. It is better to risk an uncertain evil, than to rush +upon a certain one." + +"Then I won't answer for the consequences," replied his wife. + +"What!" cried Bloundel; "am I to understand you have no reliance on +Amabel? Has all our care been thrown away?" + +"I do not distrust her," returned Mrs. Bloundel; "but consider whom she +has to deal with. She is beset by the handsomest and most fascinating +man of the day--by one understood to be practised in all the arts most +dangerous to our sex--and a nobleman to boot. Some allowance must be +made for her." + +"I will make none," rejoined Bloundel, austerely. "She has been taught +to resist temptation in whatever guise it may present itself; and if the +principles I have endeavoured to implant within her breast had found +lodgment there, she _would_ have resisted it. I am deeply grieved to +find this is not the case, and that she must trust to others for +protection, when she ought to be able to defend herself." + +The subject was not further discussed, and the grocer and his wife +shortly afterwards retired to rest. + +On the following morning, Bloundel remarked to the apprentice as they +stood together in the shop, "Leonard, you are aware I am about to shut +up my house. Before doing so, I must make certain needful arrangements. +I will not disguise from you that I should prefer your remaining with +me, but at the same time I beg you distinctly to understand that I will +not detain you against your will. Your articles are within two months of +expiring; and, if you desire it, I will deliver them to you to-morrow, +and release you from the rest of your time." + +"I do not desire it, sir," replied Leonard; "I will remain as long as I +can be serviceable to you." + +"Take time for reflection," rejoined his master, kindly. "In all +probability, it will be a long confinement, and you may repent, when too +late, having subjected yourself to it." + +"Last month's experience has taught me what I have to expect," remarked +Leonard, with a smile. "My mind is made up, I will stay with you." + +"I am glad of it," returned Bloundel, "and now I have something further +to say to you. My wife has acquainted me with the daring attempt of the +Earl of Rochester to carry off Amabel." + +"Has my mistress, also, told you of my attachment to your daughter?" +demanded Leonard, trembling, in spite of his efforts to maintain a show +of calmness. + +Bloundel nodded an affirmative. + +"And of Amabel's promise to bestow her hand upon me, if I claimed it at +the month's end?" continued the apprentice. + +"No!" replied the grocer, a good deal surprised--"I heard of no such +promise. Nor was I aware the matter had gone so far. But have you +claimed it?" + +"I have," replied Leonard; "but she declined giving an answer till +to-day." + +"We will have it, then, at once," cried Bloundel "Come with me to her." + +So saying, he led the way to the inner room, where they found Amabel and +her mother. At the sight of Leonard, the former instantly cast down her +eyes. + +"Amabel," said her father, in a tone of greater severity than he had +ever before used towards her, "all that has passed is known to me. I +shall take another and more fitting opportunity to speak to you on your +ill-advised conduct. I am come for a different purpose. You have given +Leonard Holt a promise (I need not tell you of what nature), and he +claims its fulfilment." + +"If he insists upon my compliance," replied Amabel, in a tremulous +voice, "I must obey. But it will make me wretched." + +"Then I at once release you," replied Leonard. "I value your happiness +far more than my own." + +"You deserve better treatment, Leonard," said Bloundel; "and I am sorry +my daughter cannot discern what is for her good. Let us hope that time +will work a change in your favour." + +"No," replied the apprentice, bitterly; "I will no longer delude myself +with any such vain expectation." + +"Amabel," observed the grocer, "as your father--as your wellwisher--I +should desire to see you wedded to Leonard. But I have told your mother, +and now tell you, that I will not control your inclinations, and will +only attempt to direct you so far as I think likely to be conducive to +your happiness. On another point, I must assume a very different tone. +You can no longer plead ignorance of the designs of the depraved person +who besets you. You may not be able to forget him--but you can avoid +him. If you see him alone again--if but for a moment--I cast you off for +ever. Yes, for ever," he repeated, with stern emphasis. + +"I will never voluntarily see him again," replied Amabel, tremblingly. + +"You have heard my determination," rejoined her father. "Do you still +adhere to your resolution of remaining with me, Leonard?" he added, +turning to the apprentice. "If what has just passed makes any alteration +in your wishes, state so, frankly." + +"I will stay," replied Leonard. + +"There will be one advantage, which I did not foresee, in closing my +house," remarked the grocer aside to the apprentice. "It will +effectually keep away this libertine earl." + +"Perhaps so," replied the other. "But I have more faith in my own +vigilance than in bolts and bars." + +Bloundel and Leonard then returned to the shop, where the former +immediately began to make preparations for storing his house; and in the +prosecution of his scheme he was greatly aided by the apprentice. + +The grocer's dwelling, as has been stated, was large and commodious. It +was three stories high; and beneath the ground-floor there were kitchens +and extensive cellars. Many of the rooms were spacious, and had +curiously carved fireplaces, walls pannelled with fine brown oak, large +presses, and cupboards. + +In the yard, at the back of the house, there was a pump, from which +excellent water was obtained. There were likewise three large cisterns, +supplied from the New River. Not satisfied with this, and anxious to +obtain water in which no infected body could have lain, or clothes have +been washed, Bloundel had a large tank placed within the cellar, and +connecting it by pipes with the pump, he contrived an ingenious machine, +by which he could work the latter from within the house--thus making +sure of a constant supply of water direct from the spring. + +He next addressed himself to the front of the house, where he fixed a +pulley, with a rope and hook attached to it, to the beam above one of +the smaller bay windows on the second story. By this means, he could let +down a basket or any other article into the street, or draw up whatever +he desired; and as he proposed using this outlet as the sole means of +communication with the external world when his house was closed, he had +a wooden shutter made in the form of a trap-door, which he could open +and shut at pleasure. + +Here it was his intention to station himself at certain hours of the +day, and whenever he held any communication below, to flash off a +pistol, so that the smoke of the powder might drive back the air, and +purify any vapour that found entrance of its noxious particles. + +He laid down to himself a number of regulations, which will be more +easily shown and more clearly understood, on arriving at the period when +his plans came to be in full operation. To give an instance, however--if +a letter should be conveyed to him by means of the pulley, he proposed +to steep it in a solution of vinegar and sulphur; and when dried and +otherwise fumigated, to read it at a distance by the help of strong +glasses. + +In regard to provisions, after a careful calculation, he bought upwards +of three thousand pounds' weight of hard sea-biscuits, similar to those +now termed captain's biscuits, and had them stowed away in hogsheads. He +next ordered twenty huge casks of the finest flour, which he had packed +up with the greatest care, as if for a voyage to Barbadoes or Jamaica. +As these were brought in through the yard an accident had well-nigh +occurred which might have proved fatal to him. While superintending the +labours of Leonard and Blaize, who were rolling the casks into the +house--having stowed away as many as he conveniently could in the upper +part of the premises--he descended to the cellar, and, opening a door at +the foot of a flight of steps leading from the yard, called to them to +lower the remaining barrels with ropes below. In the hurry, Blaize +rolled a cask towards the open door, and in another instant it would +have fallen upon the grocer, and perhaps have crushed him, but for the +interposition of Leonard. Bloundel made no remark at the time; but he +never forgot the service rendered him by the apprentice. + +To bake the bread required an oven, and he accordingly built one in the +garret, laying in a large stock of wood for fuel. Neither did he neglect +to provide himself with two casks of meal. + +But the most important consideration was butcher's meat; and for this +purpose he went to Rotherhithe, where the plague had not yet appeared, +and agreed with a butcher to kill him four fat bullocks, and pickle and +barrel them as if for sea stores. He likewise directed the man to +provide six large barrels of pickled pork, on the same understanding. +These were landed at Queenhithe, and brought up to Wood-street, so that +they passed for newly-landed grocery. + +Hams and bacon forming part of his own trade, he wrote to certain +farmers with whom he was in the habit of dealing, to send him up an +unlimited supply of flitches and gammons; and his orders being promptly +and abundantly answered, he soon found he had more bacon than he could +possibly consume. He likewise laid in a good store of tongues, hung +beef, and other dried meats. + +As to wine, he already had a tolerable stock; but he increased it by +half a hogshead of the best canary he could procure; two casks of +malmsey, each containing twelve gallons; a quarter-cask of Malaga sack; +a runlet of muscadine; two small runlets of aqua vitae; twenty gallons +of aniseed water; and two eight-gallon runlets of brandy. To this he +added six hogsheads of strongly-hopped Kent ale, calculated for keeping, +which he placed in a cool cellar, together with three hogsheads of beer, +for immediate use. Furthermore, he procured a variety of distilled +waters for medicinal purposes, amongst which he included a couple of +dozen of the then fashionable and costly preparation, denominated +plague-water. + +As, notwithstanding all his precautions, it was not impossible that some +of his household might be attacked by the distemper, he took care to +provide proper remedies, and, to Blaize's infinite delight, furnished +himself with mithridates, Venice treacle, diascorium, the pill rufus +(oh! how the porter longed to have the key of the medicine chest!), +London treacle, turpentine, and other matters. He likewise collected a +number of herbs and simples; as Virginian snakeweed, contrajerva, +pestilence-wort, angelica, elecampane, zedoary, tormentil, valerian, +lovage, devils-bit, dittany, master-wort, rue, sage, ivy-berries, and +walnuts; together with bole ammoniac, terra sigillata, bezoar-water, oil +of sulphur, oil of vitriol, and other compounds. His store of remedies +was completed by a tun of the best white-wine vinegar, and a dozen jars +of salad-oil. + +Regulating his supplies by the provisions he had laid in, he purchased a +sufficient stock of coals and fagots to last him during the whole period +of his confinement; and he added a small barrel of gunpowder, and a like +quantity of sulphur for fumigation. + +His eatables would not have been complete without cheese; and he +therefore ordered about six hundredweight from Derbyshire, Wiltshire, +and Leicestershire, besides a couple of large old cheeses from +Rostherne, in Cheshire--even then noted for the best dairies in the +whole county. Several tubs of salted butter were sent him out of +Berkshire, and a few pots, from Suffolk. + +It being indispensable, considering the long period he meant to close +his house, to provide himself and his family with every necessary, he +procured a sufficient stock of wearing apparel, hose, shoes and boots. +Spice, dried fruit, and other grocery articles, were not required, +because he already possessed them. Candles also formed an article of his +trade, and lamp-oil; but he was recommended by Doctor Hodges, from a +fear of the scurvy, to provide a plentiful supply of lemon and lime +juice. + +To guard against accident, he also doubly stocked his house with glass, +earthenware, and every article liable to breakage. He destroyed all +vermin, such as rats and mice, by which the house was infested; and the +only live creatures he would suffer to be kept were a few poultry. He +had a small hutch constructed near the street-door, to be used by the +watchman he meant to employ; and he had the garrets fitted up with beds +to form an hospital, if any part of the family should be seized with the +distemper, so that the sick might be sequestered from the sound. + +* * * * * + + + + +III. THE QUACK DOCTORS. + +Patience, it may be remembered, had promised Blaize to give him her +earnings to enable him to procure a fresh supply of medicine, and about +a week after he had received the trifling amount (for he had been so +constantly employed by the grocer that he had no opportunity of getting +out before), he sallied forth to visit a neighbouring apothecary, named +Parkhurst, from whom he had been in the habit of purchasing drugs, and +who occupied a small shop not far from the grocer's, on the opposite +side of the street. Parkhurst appeared overjoyed to see him, and, +without giving him time to prefer his own request, inquired after his +master's family--whether they were all well, especially fair Mistress +Amabel--and, further, what was the meaning of the large supplies of +provision which he saw daily conveyed to the premises? Blaize shook his +head at the latter question, and for some time refused to answer it. But +being closely pressed by Parkhurst, he admitted that his master was +about to shut up his house. + +"Shut up his house!" exclaimed Parkhurst. "I never heard of such a +preposterous idea. If he does so, not one of you will come out alive. +But I should hope that he will be dissuaded from his rash design." + +"Dissuaded!" echoed Blaize. "You don't know my master. He's as obstinate +as a mule when he takes a thing into his head. Nothing will turn him. +Besides, Doctor Hodges sanctions and even recommends the plan." + +"I have no opinion of Doctor Hodges," sneered the apothecary. "He is not +fit to hold a candle before a learned friend of mine, a physician, who +is now in that room. The person I speak of thoroughly understands the +pestilence, and never fails to cure every case that comes before him. No +shutting up houses with him. He is in possession of an infallible +remedy." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Blaize, pricking up his ears. "What is his name?" + +"His name!" cried Parkhurst, with a puzzled look. "How strange it should +slip my memory! Ah, now I recollect. It is Doctor Calixtus Bottesham." + +"A singular name, truly," remarked Blaize; "but it sounds like that of a +clever man." + +"Doctor Calixtus Bottesham is a wonderful man," returned the apothecary. +"I have never met with his like. I would trumpet forth his merits +through the whole city, but that it would ruin my trade. The plague is +our harvest, as my friend Chowles, the coffin-maker, says, and it will +not do to stop it--ha! ha!" + +"It is too serious a subject to laugh at," returned Blaize, gravely. +"But are the doctor's fees exorbitant?" + +"To the last degree," replied Parkhurst. "I am afraid to state how much +he asks." + +"I fear I shall not be able to consult him, then," said Blaize, turning +over the coin in his pocket; "and yet I should greatly like to do so." + +"Have no fear on that score," returned the apothecary. "I have been able +to render him an important service, and he will do anything for me. He +shall give you his advice gratis." + +"Thank you! thank you!" cried Blaize, transported with delight. + +"Wait here a moment, and I will ascertain whether he will see you," +replied Parkhurst. + +So saying, he quitted the porter, who amused himself during his absence +by studying the labels affixed to the jars and bottles on the shelves. +He had much ado to restrain himself from opening some of them, and +tasting their contents. + +Full a quarter of an hour elapsed before the apothecary appeared. + +"I am sorry to have detained you so long," he said; "but I had more +difficulty with the doctor than I expected, and for some time he refused +to see you on any terms, because he has a violent antipathy to Doctor +Hodges, whom he regards as a mere pretender, and whose patient he +conceives you to be." + +"I am not Doctor Hodges' patient," returned Blaize; "and I regard him as +a pretender myself." + +"That opinion will recommend you to Doctor Bottesham," replied +Parkhurst; "and since I have smoothed the way for you, you will find him +very affable and condescending. He has often heard me speak of your +master; and if it were not for his dislike of Doctor Hodges, whom he +might accidentally encounter, he would call upon him." + +"I wish I could get my master to employ him instead of the other," said +Blaize. + +"I wish so too," cried Parkhurst, eagerly. "Do you think it could be +managed?" + +"I fear not," returned Blaize. + +"There would be no harm in making the trial," replied Parkhurst. "But +you shall now see the learned gentleman. I ought to apprise you that he +has two friends with him--one a young gallant, named Hawkswood, whom he +has recently cured of the distemper, and who is so much attached to him +that he never leaves him; the other, a doctor, like himself, named +Martin Furbisher, who always accompanies him in his visits to his +patients, and prepares his mixtures for him. You must not be surprised +at their appearance. And now come with me." + +With this, he led the way into a small room at the back of the shop, +where three personages were seated at the table, with a flask of wine +and glasses before them. Blaize detected Doctor Bottesham at a glance. +He was an ancient-looking man, clad in a suit of rusty black, over which +was thrown a velvet robe, very much soiled and faded, but originally +trimmed with fur, and lined with yellow silk. His powers of vision +appeared to be feeble, for he wore a large green shade over his eyes, +and a pair of spectacles of the same colour. A venerable white beard +descended almost to his waist. His head was protected by a long flowing +grey wig, over which he wore a black velvet cap. His shoulders were high +and round, his back bent, and he evidently required support when he +moved, as a crutch-headed staff was reared against his chair. On his +left was a young, handsome, and richly-attired gallant, answering to the +apothecary's description of Hawkswood; and on the right sat a stout +personage precisely habited like himself, except that he wore a +broad-leaved hat, which completely overshadowed his features. +Notwithstanding this attempt at concealment, it was easy to perceive +that Doctor Furbisher's face was covered with scars, that he had a +rubicund nose, studded with carbuncles, and a black patch over his left +eye. + +"Is this the young man who desires to consult me?" asked Doctor Calixtus +Bottesham, in the cracked and quavering voice of old age, of Parkhurst. + +"It is," replied the apothecary, respectfully. "Go forward," he added to +Blaize, "and speak for yourself." + +"What ails you?" pursued Bottesham, gazing at him through his +spectacles. "You look strong and hearty." + +"So I am, learned sir," replied Blaize, bowing to the ground; "but +understanding from Mr. Parkhurst that you have an infallible remedy +against the plague, I would gladly procure it from you, as, if I should +be attacked, I may not have an opportunity of consulting you." + +"Why not?" demanded Bottesham. "I will come to you if you send for me." + +"Because," replied Blaize, after a moment's hesitation, "my master is +about to shut up his house, and no one will be allowed to go forth, or +to enter it, till the pestilence is at an end." + +"Your master must be mad to think of such a thing," rejoined Bottesham. +"What say you, brother Furbisher?--is that the way to keep off the +plague?" + +"Gallipots of Galen! no," returned the other; "it is rather the way to +invite its assaults." + +"When does your master talk of putting this fatal design--for fatal it +will be to him and all his household--into execution?" demanded +Bottesham. + +"Very shortly, I believe," replied Blaize. "He meant to begin on the +first of June, but as the pestilence is less violent than it was, Doctor +Hodges has induced him to defer his purpose for a few days." + +"Doctor Hodges!" exclaimed Bottesham, contemptuously. "It was an +unfortunate day for your master when he admitted that sack-drinking +impostor into his house." + +"I have no great opinion of his skill," replied Blaize, "but, +nevertheless, it must be admitted that he cured Master Stephen in a +wonderful manner." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed Bottesham, "that was mere accident. I heard the +particulars of the case from Parkhurst, and am satisfied the youth would +have recovered without his aid. But what a barbarian Mr. Bloundel must +be to think of imprisoning his family in this way!" + +"He certainly does not consult my inclinations in the matter," returned +Blaize. + +"Nor those of his wife and daughter, I should imagine," continued +Bottesham. "How do _they_ like it?" + +"I cannot exactly say," answered Blaize. "What a dreadful thing it would +be if I should be attacked by the plague, and no assistance could be +procured!" + +"It would be still more dreadful if so angelic a creature as Bloundel's +daughter is represented to be--for I have never seen her--should be so +seized," observed Bottesham. "I feel so much interested about her that I +would do anything to preserve her from the fate with which she is +menaced." + +"Were it not inconsistent with your years, learned sir, I might suspect +you of a tenderer feeling towards her," observed Blaize, archly. "But, +in good sooth, her charms are so extraordinary, that I should not be +surprised at any effect they might produce." + +"They would produce no effect on me," replied Bottesham. "I am long past +such feelings. But in regard to yourself. You say you are afraid of the +plague. I will give you an electuary to drive away the panic;" and he +produced a small jar, and handed it to the porter. "It is composed of +conserve of roses, gillyflowers, borage, candied citron, powder of +_laetificans Galeni_, Roman zedoary, doronicum, and saffron. You must +take about the quantity of a large nutmeg, morning and evening." + +"You make me for ever your debtor, learned sir," rejoined Blaize. "What +a charming mixture!" + +"I will also add my remedy," said Furbisher. "It is a powder compounded +of crabs' eyes, burnt hartshorn, the black tops of crabs' claws, the +bone from a stag's heart, unicorn's horn, and salt of vipers. You must +take one or two drams--not more--in a glass of hot posset-drink, when +you go to bed, and swallow another draught of the same potion to wash it +down." + +"I will carefully observe your directions," replied Blaize, thankfully +receiving the powder. + +"Of all things," said Bottesham, claiming the porter's attention by +tapping him on the head with his cane, "take care never to be without +vinegar. It is the grand specific, not merely against the plague, but +against all disorders. It is food and physic, meat and medicine, drink +and julep, cordial and antidote. If you formerly took it as a sauce, now +take it as a remedy. To the sound it is a preservative from sickness, to +the sick, a restorative to health. It is like the sword which is worn +not merely for ornament, but for defence. Vinegar is my remedy against +the plague. It is a simple remedy, but an effectual one. I have cured a +thousand patients with it, and hope to cure a thousand more. Take +vinegar with all you eat, and flavour all you drink with it. Has the +plague taken away your appetite, vinegar will renew it. Is your throat +ulcerated, use vinegar as a gargle. Are you disturbed with phlegmatic +humours, vinegar will remove them. Is your brain laden with vapours, +throw vinegar on a hot shovel, and inhale its fumes, and you will obtain +instantaneous relief. Have you the headache, wet a napkin in vinegar, +and apply it to your temples, and the pain will cease. In short, there +is no ailment that vinegar will not cure. It is the grand panacea; and +may be termed the elixir of long life." + +"I wonder its virtues have not been found out before," observed Blaize, +innocently. + +"It is surprising how slow men are in discovering the most obvious +truths," replied Bottesham. "But take my advice, and never be without +it." + +"I never will," returned Blaize. "Heaven be praised, my master has just +ordered in three tuns. I'll tap one of them directly." + +"That idea of the vinegar remedy is borrowed from Kemp's late treatise +on the pestilence and its cure," muttered Furbisher. "Before you enter +upon the new system, young man," he added aloud to Blaize, "let me +recommend you to fortify your stomach with a glass of canary." + +And pouring out a bumper, he handed it to the porter, who swallowed it +at a draught. + +"And now," said Bottesham, "to return to this mad scheme of your +master's--is there no way of preventing it?" + +"I am aware of none," replied Blaize. + +"Bolts and bars!" cried Furbisher, "something must be done for the fair +Amabel. We owe it to society not to permit so lovely a creature to be +thus immured. What say you, Hawkswood?" he added to the gallant by his +side, who had not hitherto spoken. + +"It would be unpardonable to permit it--quite unpardonable," replied +this person. + +"Might not some plan be devised to remove her for a short time, and +frighten him out of his project?" said Bottesham. "I would willingly +assist in such a scheme. I pledge you in a bumper, young man. You appear +a trusty servant." + +"I am so accounted, learned sir," replied Blaize, upon whose brain the +wine thus plentifully bestowed began to operate--"and I may add, justly +so." + +"You really will be doing your master a service if you can prevent him +from committing this folly," rejoined Bottesham. + +"Let us have a bottle of burnt malmsey, with a few bruised raisins in +it, Mr. Parkhurst. This poor young man requires support. Be seated, +friend." + +With some hesitation, Blaize complied, and while the apothecary went in +search of the wine, he observed to Bottesham, "I would gladly comply +with your suggestion, learned sir, if I saw any means of doing so." + +"Could you not pretend to have the plague?" said Bottesham. "I could +then attend you." + +"I should be afraid of playing such a trick as that," replied Blaize. +"Besides, I do not see what purpose it would answer." + +"It would enable me to get into the house," returned Bottesham, "and +then I might take measures for Amabel's deliverance." + +"If you merely wish to get into the house," replied Blaize, "that can be +easily managed. I will admit you this evening." + +"Without your master's knowledge?" asked Bottesham, eagerly. + +"Of course," returned Blaize. + +"But he has an apprentice?" said the doctor. + +"Oh! you mean Leonard Holt," replied Blaize. "Yes, we must take care he +doesn't see you. If you come about nine o'clock, he will be engaged with +my master in putting away the things in the shop." + +"I will be punctual," replied Bottesham, "and will bring Doctor +Furbisher with me. We will only stay a few minutes. But here comes the +burnt malmsey. Fill the young man's glass, Parkhurst. I will insure you +against the plague, if you will follow my advice." + +"But will you insure me against my master's displeasure, if he finds me +out?" said Blaize. + +"I will provide you with a new one," returned Bottesham. "You shall +serve me if you wish to change your place." + +"That would answer my purpose exactly," thought Blaize. "I need never be +afraid of the plague if I live with him. I will turn over your proposal, +learned sir," he added, aloud. + +After priming him with another bumper of malmsey, Blaise's new friends +suffered him to depart. On returning home, he proceeded to his own room, +and feeling unusually drowsy, he threw himself on the bed, and almost +instantly dropped asleep. When he awoke, the fumes of the liquor had, in +a great degree, evaporated, and he recalled, with considerable +self-reproach, the promise he had given, and would gladly have recalled +it, if it had been possible. But it was now not far from the appointed +hour, and he momentarily expected the arrival of the two doctors. The +only thing that consoled him was the store of medicine he had obtained, +and, locking it up in his cupboard, he descended to the kitchen. +Fortunately, his mother was from home, so that he ran no risk from her; +and, finding Patience alone, after some hesitation, he let her into the +secret of his anticipated visitors. She was greatly surprised, and +expressed much uneasiness lest they should be discovered; as, if they +were so, it would be sure to bring them both into trouble. + +"What can they want with Mistress Amabel?" she cried. "I should not +wonder if Doctor Calixtus Bottesham, as you call him, turns out a lover +in disguise." + +"A lover!" exclaimed Blaize. "Your silly head is always running upon +lovers. He's an old man--old enough to be your grandfather, with a long +white beard, reaching to his waist. He a lover! Mr. Bloundel is much +more like one." + +"For all that, it looks suspicious," returned Patience; "and I shall +have my eyes about me on their arrival." + +Shortly after this, Blaize crept cautiously up to the back yard, and, +opening the door, found, as he expected, Bottesham and his companion. +Motioning them to follow him, he led the way to the kitchen, where they +arrived without observation. Patience eyed the new-comers narrowly, and +felt almost certain, from their appearance and manner, that her +suspicions were correct. All doubts were removed when Bottesham, +slipping a purse into her hand, entreated her, on some plea or other, to +induce Amabel to come into the kitchen. At first she hesitated; but +having a tender heart, inclining her to assist rather than oppose the +course of any love-affair, her scruples were soon overcome. Accordingly +she hurried upstairs, and chancing to meet with her young mistress, who +was about to retire to her own chamber, entreated her to come down with +her for a moment in the kitchen. Thinking it some unimportant matter, +but yet wondering why Patience should appear so urgent, Amabel complied. +She was still more perplexed when she saw the two strangers, and would +have instantly retired if Bottesham had not detained her. + +"You will pardon the liberty I have taken in sending for you," he said, +"when I explain that I have done so to offer you counsel." + +"I am as much at a loss to understand what counsel you can have to +offer, sir, as to guess why you are here," she replied. + +"Amabel," returned Bottesham, in a low tone, but altering his voice, and +slightly raising his spectacles so as to disclose his features; "it is +I--Maurice Wyvil." + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, in the utmost astonishment. + +"I told you we should meet again," he rejoined; "and I have kept my +word." + +"Think not to deceive me, my lord," she returned, controlling her +emotion by a powerful effort. "I am aware you are not Maurice Wyvil, but +the Earl of Rochester. Your love is as false as your character. Mistress +Mallet is the real object of your regards. You see I am acquainted with +your perfidy." + +"Amabel, you are deceived," replied Rochester. "On my soul, you are. +When I have an opportunity of explaining myself more fully, I will prove +to you that I was induced by the king, for an especial purpose, to pay +feigned addresses to the lady you have named. But I never loved her. You +alone are the possessor of my heart, and shall be the sharer of my +title. You shall be Countess of Rochester." + +"Could I believe you?" she cried. + +"You _may_ believe me," he answered. "Do not blight my hopes and your +own happiness a second time. Your father is about to shut up his house +for a twelvemonth, if the plague lasts so long. This done, we shall meet +no more, for access to you will be impossible. Do not hesitate, or you +will for ever rue your irresolution." + +"I know not what to do," cried Amabel, distractedly. + +"Then I will decide for you," replied the earl, grasping her hand. +"Come!" + +While this was passing, Furbisher, or rather, as will be surmised, +Pillichody, had taken Blaize aside, and engaged his attention by +dilating upon the efficacy of a roasted onion filled with treacle in the +expulsion of the plague. Patience stationed herself near the door, not +with a view of interfering with the lovers, but rather of assisting +them; and at the very moment that the earl seized his mistress's hand, +and would have drawn her forward, she ran towards them, and hastily +whispered, "Leonard Holt is coming downstairs." + +"Ah! I am lost!" cried Amabel. + +"Fear nothing," said the earl. "Keep near me, and I will soon dispose of +him." + +As he spoke, the apprentice entered the kitchen, and, greatly surprised +by the appearance of the strangers, angrily demanded from Blaize who +they were. + +"They are two doctors come to give me advice respecting the plague," +stammered the porter. + +"How did they get into the house?" inquired Leonard. + +"I let them in through the back door," replied Blaize. + +"Then let them out by the same way," rejoined the apprentice. "May I ask +what you are doing here?" he added, to Amabel. + +"What is that to you, fellow?" cried Rochester, in his assumed voice. + +"Much, as you shall find, my lord," replied the apprentice; "for, in +spite of your disguise, I know you. Quit the house instantly with your +companion, or I will give the alarm, and Amabel well knows what the +consequences will be." + +"You must go, my lord," she replied. + +"I will not stir unless you accompany me," said Rochester. + +"Then I have no alternative," rejoined Leonard. "You know your father's +determination--I would willingly spare you, Amabel." + +"Oh, goodness! what _will_ become of us?" cried Patience--"if there +isn't Mr. Bloundel coming downstairs." + +"Amabel," said Leonard, sternly, "the next moment decides your fate. If +the earl departs, I will keep your secret." + +"You hear that, my lord," she cried; "I command you to leave me." + +And disengaging herself from him, and hastily passing her father, who at +that moment entered the kitchen, she rushed upstairs. + +On hearing the alarm of the grocer's approach, Pillichody took refuge in +a cupboard, the door of which stood invitingly open, so that Bloundel +only perceived the earl. + +"What is the matter?" he cried, gazing around him. "Whom have we here?" + +"It is a quack doctor, whom Blaize has been consulting about the +plague," returned Leonard. + +"See him instantly out of the house," rejoined the grocer, angrily, "and +take care he never enters it again. I will have no such charlatans +here." + +Leonard motioned Rochester to follow him, and the latter reluctantly +obeyed. + +As soon as Bloundel had retired, Leonard, who had meanwhile provided +himself with his cudgel, descended to the kitchen, where he dragged +Pillichody from his hiding-place, and conducted him to the back door. +But he did not suffer him to depart without belabouring him soundly. +Locking the door, he then went in search of Blaize, and administered a +similar chastisement to him. + + + + +IV. THE TWO WATCHMEN. + +On the day following the events last related, as Leonard Holt was +standing at the door of the shop,--his master having just been called +out by some important business,--a man in the dress of a watchman, with +a halberd in his hand, approached him, and inquired if he was Mr. +Bloundel's apprentice. + +Before returning an answer, Leonard looked hard at the newcomer, and +thought he had never beheld so ill-favoured a person before. Every +feature in his face was distorted. His mouth was twisted on one side, +his nose on the other, while his right eyebrow was elevated more than an +inch above the left; added to which he squinted intolerably, had a long +fell of straight sandy hair, a sandy beard and moustache, and a +complexion of the colour of brickdust. + +"An ugly dog," muttered Leonard to himself, as he finished his scrutiny; +"what can he want with me? Suppose I should be Mr. Bloundel's +apprentice," he added, aloud, "what then, friend?" + +"Your master has a beautiful daughter, has he not?" asked the +ill-favoured watchman. + +"I answer no idle questions," rejoined Leonard, coldly. + +"As you please," returned the other, in an offended tone. "A plan to +carry her off has accidentally come to my knowledge. But, since +incivility is all I am likely to get for my pains in coming to acquaint +you with it, e'en find it out yourself." + +"Hold!" cried the apprentice, detaining him; "I meant no offence. Step +indoors for a moment. We can converse there more freely." + +The watchman, who, notwithstanding his ill-looks, appeared to be a +good-natured fellow, was easily appeased. Following the apprentice into +the shop, on the promise of a handsome reward, he instantly commenced +his relation. + +"Last night," he said, "I was keeping watch at the door of Mr. Brackley, +a saddler in Aldermanbury, whose house having been attacked by the +pestilence is now shut up, when I observed two persons, rather +singularly attired, pass me. Both were dressed like old men, but neither +their gait nor tone of voice corresponded with their garb." + +"It must have been the Earl of Rochester and his companion," remarked +Leonard. + +"You are right," replied the other; "for I afterwards heard one of them +addressed by that title. But to proceed. I was so much struck by the +strangeness of their appearance, that I left my post for a few minutes, +and followed them. They halted beneath a gateway, and, as they conversed +together very earnestly, and in a loud tone, I could distinctly hear +what they said. One of them, the stoutest of the two, complained +bitterly of the indignities he had received from Mr. Bloundel's +apprentice (meaning you, of course), averring that nothing but his +devotion to his companion had induced him to submit to them; and +affirming, with many tremendous oaths, that he would certainly cut the +young man's throat the very first opportunity." + +"He shall not want it then," replied Leonard contemptuously; "neither +shall he lack a second application of my cudgel when we meet. But what +of his companion? What did he say?" + +"He laughed heartily at the other's complaints," returned the watchman, +"and told him to make himself easy, for he should soon have his revenge. +'To-morrow night,' he said, 'we will carry off Amabel, in spite of the +apprentice or her father; and, as I am equally indebted with yourself to +the latter, we will pay off old scores with him.'" + +"How do they intend to effect their purpose?" demanded Leonard. + +"That I cannot precisely tell," replied the watchman. "All I could hear +was, that they meant to enter the house by the back yard about midnight. +And now, if you will make it worth my while, I will help you to catch +them in their own trap." + +"Hum!" said Leonard. "What is your name?" + +"Gregory Swindlehurst," replied the other. + +"To help me, you must keep watch with me to-night," rejoined Leonard. +"Can you do so?" + +"I see nothing to hinder me, provided I am paid for my trouble," replied +Gregory. "I will find some one to take my place at Mr. Brackley's. At +what hour shall I come?" + +"Soon after ten," said Leonard. "Be at the shop-door, and I will let you +in." + +"Count upon me," rejoined Gregory, a smile of satisfaction illumining +his ill-favoured countenance. "Shall I bring a comrade with me? I know a +trusty fellow who would like the job. If Lord Rochester should have his +companions with him, assistance will be required." + +"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." + +"I shall never rest easy, Leonard," rejoined Mrs. Bloundel, "till you +are wedded to my daughter. Then, indeed, I shall feel happy. My poor +child, I am sure, is fully aware how indiscreet her conduct has been; +and when this noble libertine desists from annoying her--or rather, when +he is effectually shut out--we may hope for a return of her regard for +you." + +"It is a vain hope, madam," replied Leonard; "there will be no such +return. I neither expect it nor desire it." + +"Have you ceased to love her?" asked Mrs. Bloundel, in surprise. + +"Ceased to love her!" echoed Leonard, fiercely. "Would I had done +so!--would I _could_ do so! I love her too well--too well." + +And repeating the words to himself with great bitterness, he hurried +away. + +"His passion has disturbed his brain," sighed Mrs. Bloundel, as she +proceeded to her chamber. "I must try to reason him into calmness +to-morrow." + +Half an hour after this, the grocer retired for the night; and Leonard, +who had gone to his own room, cautiously opened the door, and repaired +to the shop. On the way he met Amabel. She looked pale as death, and +trembled so violently, that she could scarcely support herself. + +"I hope you do not mean to use any violence towards the earl, Leonard?" +she said in a supplicating voice. + +"He will never repeat his visit," rejoined the apprentice, gloomily. + +"Your looks terrify me," cried Amabel, gazing with great uneasiness at +his stern and determined countenance. "I will remain by you. He will +depart at my bidding." + +"Did he depart at your bidding before?" demanded Leonard, sarcastically. + +"He did not, I grant," she replied, more supplicatingly than before. +"But do not harm him--for mercy's sake, do not--take my life sooner. I +alone have offended you." + +The apprentice made no reply, but, unlocking a box, took out a brace of +large horse-pistols and a sword, and thrust them into his girdle. + +"You do not mean to use those murderous weapons?" cried Amabel. + +"It depends on circumstances," replied Leonard. "Force must be met by +force." + +"Nay, then," she rejoined, "the affair assumes too serious an aspect to +be trifled with. I will instantly alarm my father." + +"Do so," retorted Leonard, "and he will cast you off for ever." + +"Better that, than be the cause of bloodshed," she returned. "But is +there nothing I can do to prevent this fatal result?" + +"Yes," replied Leonard. "Make your lover understand he is unwelcome to +you. Dismiss him for ever. On that condition, he shall depart unharmed +and freely." + +"I will do so," she rejoined. + +Nothing more was then said. Amabel seated herself and kept her eyes +fixed on Leonard, who, avoiding her regards, stationed himself near the +door. + +By-and-by a slight tap was heard without, and the apprentice cautiously +admitted Gregory Swindlehurst and his comrade. The latter was habited +like the other watchman, in a blue night-rail, and was armed with a +halberd. He appeared much stouter, much older, and, so far as could be +discovered of his features--for a large handkerchief muffled his +face--much uglier (if that were possible) than his companion. He +answered to the name of Bernard Boutefeu. They had no sooner entered the +shop, than Leonard locked the door. + +"Who are these persons?" asked Amabel, rising in great alarm. + +"Two watchmen whom I have hired to guard the house," replied Leonard. + +"We are come to protect you, fair mistress," said Gregory, "and, if need +be, to cut the Earl of Rochester's throat." + +"Oh heavens!" exclaimed Amabel. + +"Ghost of Tarquin!" cried Boutefeu, "we'll teach him to break into the +houses of quiet citizens, and attempt to carry off their daughters +against their will. By the soul of Dick Whittington, Lord Mayor of +London! we'll maul and mangle him." + +"Silence! Bernard Boutefeu," interposed Gregory. "You frighten Mistress +Amabel by your strange oaths." + +"I should be sorry to do that," replied Boutefeu--"I only wish to show +my zeal for her. Don't be afraid of the Earl of Rochester, fair +mistress. With all his audacity, he won't dare to enter the house when +he finds we are there." + +"Is it your pleasure that we should thrust a halberd through his body, +or lodge a bullet in his brain?" asked Gregory, appealing to Amabel. + +"Touch him not, I beseech you," she rejoined. "Leonard, I have your +promise that, if I can prevail upon him to depart, you will not molest +him." + +"You have," he replied. + +"You hear that," she observed to the watchmen. + +"We are all obedience," said Gregory. + +"Bless your tender heart!" cried Boutefeu, "we would not pain you for +the world." + +"A truce to this," said Leonard. "Come to the yard, we will wait for him +there." + +"I will go with you," cried Amabel. "If any harm should befall him, I +should never forgive myself." + +"Remember what I told you," rejoined Leonard, sternly; "it depends upon +yourself whether he leaves the house alive." + +"Heed him not," whispered Gregory. "I and my comrade will obey no one +but you." + +Amabel could not repress an exclamation of surprise. + +"What are you muttering, sirrah?" demanded Leonard, angrily. + +"Only that the young lady may depend on our fidelity," replied Gregory. +"There can be no offence in that. Come with us," he whispered to Amabel. + +The latter part of his speech escaped Leonard, but the tone in which it +was uttered was so significant, that Amabel, who began to entertain new +suspicions, hesitated. + +"You must come," said Leonard, seizing her hand. + +"The fault be his, not mine," murmured Amabel, as she suffered herself +to be drawn along. + +The party then proceeded noiselessly towards the yard. On the way, +Amabel felt a slight pressure on her arm, but, afraid of alarming +Leonard, she made no remark. + +The back-door was opened, and the little group stood in the darkness. +They had not long to wait. Before they had been in the yard five +minutes, a noise was heard of footsteps and muttered voices in the +entry. This was followed by a sound like that occasioned by fastening a +rope-ladder against the wall, and the next moment two figures were +perceived above it. After dropping the ladder into the yard, these +persons, the foremost of whom the apprentice concluded was the Earl of +Rochester, descended. They had no sooner touched the ground than +Leonard, drawing his pistols, advanced towards them. + +"You are my prisoner, my lord," he said, in a stern voice, "and shall +not depart with life, unless you pledge your word never to come hither +again on the same errand." + +"Betrayed!" cried the earl, laying his hand upon his sword. + +"Resistance is in vain, my lord," rejoined Leonard. "I am better armed +than yourself." + +"Will nothing bribe you to silence, fellow?" cried the earl. "I will +give you a thousand pounds, if you will hold your tongue, and conduct me +to my mistress." + +"I can scarcely tell what stays my hand," returned Leonard, in a furious +tone. "But I will hold no further conversation with you. Amabel is +present, and will give you your final dismissal herself." + +"If I receive it from her own lips," replied the earl, "I will instantly +retire--but not otherwise." + +"Amabel," said Leonard in a low tone to her, "you hear what is said. +Fulfil your promise." + +"Do so," cried a voice, which she instantly recognised, in her ear--"I +am near you." + +"Ah!" she exclaimed. + +"Do you hesitate?" cried the apprentice, sternly. + +"My lord," said Amabel, in a faint voice, "I must pray you to retire, +your efforts are in vain. I will never fly with you." + +"That will not suffice," whispered Leonard; "you must tell him you no +longer love him." + +"Hear me," pursued Amabel; "you who present yourself as Lord Rochester, +I entertain no affection for you, and never wish to behold you again." + +"Enough!" cried Leonard. + +"Admirable!" whispered Gregory. "Nothing could be better." + +"Well," cried the supposed earl, "since I no longer hold a place in your +affections, it would be idle to pursue the matter further. Heaven be +praised, there are other damsels quite as beautiful, though not so +cruel. Farewell for ever, Amabel." + +So saying he mounted the ladder, and, followed by his companion, +disappeared on the other side. + +"He is gone," said Leonard, "and I hope for ever. Now let us return to +the house." + +"I am coming," rejoined Amabel. + +"Let him go," whispered Gregory. "The ladder is still upon the wall; we +will climb it." + +And as the apprentice moved towards the house, he tried to drag her in +that direction. + +"I cannot--will not fly thus," she cried. + +"What is the matter?" exclaimed Leonard, suddenly turning. + +"Further disguise is useless," replied the supposed Gregory +Swindlehurst. "I am the Earl of Rochester. The other was a counterfeit." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Leonard, rushing towards them, and placing a pistol +against the breast of his mistress? "Have I been duped? But it is not +yet too late to retrieve my error. Move a foot further, my lord,--and do +you, Amabel, attempt to fly with him, and I fire." + +"You cannot mean this?" cried Rochester. "Raise your hand against the +woman you love?" + +"Against the woman who forgets her duty, and the libertine who tempts +her, the arm that is raised is that of justice," replied Leonard. "Stir +another footstep, and I fire." + +As he spoke, his arms were suddenly seized by a powerful grasp from +behind, and, striking the pistols from his hold, the earl snatched up +Amabel in his arms, and, mounting the ladder, made good his retreat. + +A long and desperate struggle took place between Leonard and his +assailant, who was no other than Pillichody, in his assumed character of +Bernard Boutefeu. But notwithstanding the superior strength of the +bully, and the advantage he had taken of the apprentice, he was worsted +in the end. + +Leonard had no sooner extricated himself, than, drawing his sword, he +would have passed it through Pillichody's body, if the latter had not +stayed his hand by offering to tell him where he would find his +mistress, provided his life were spared. + +"Where has the earl taken her?" cried Leonard, scarcely able to +articulate from excess of passion. + +"He meant to take her to Saint Paul's,--to the vaults below the +cathedral, to avoid pursuit," replied Pillichody. "I have no doubt you +will find her there." + +"I will go there instantly and search," cried Leonard, rushing up the +ladder. + + + + +V. THE BLIND PIPER AND HIS DAUGHTER + +Scarcely knowing how he got there, Leonard Holt found himself at the +great northern entrance of the cathedral. Burning with fury, he knocked +at the door; but no answer being returned to the summons, though he +repeated it still more loudly, he shook the heavy latch with such +violence as to rouse the sullen echoes of the aisles. Driven almost to +desperation, he retired a few paces, and surveyed the walls of the vast +structure, in the hope of descrying some point by which he might obtain +an entrance. + +It was a bright moonlight night, and the reverend pile looked so +beautiful, that, under any other frame of mind, Leonard must, have been +struck with admiration. The ravages of time could not now be discerned, +and the architectural incongruities which, seen in the broad glare of +day, would have offended the eye of taste, were lost in the general +grand effect. On the left ran the magnificent pointed windows of the +choir, divided by massive buttresses,--the latter ornamented with +crocketed pinnacles. On the right, the building had been new-faced, and +its original character, in a great measure, destroyed by the tasteless +manner in which the repairs had been executed. On this side, the lower +windows were round-headed and separated by broad pilasters, while above +them ran a range of small circular windows. At the western angle was +seen one of the towers (since imitated by Wren), which flanked this side +of the fane, together with a part of the portico erected, about +twenty-five years previously, by Inigo Jones, and which, though +beautiful in itself, was totally out of character with the edifice, and, +in fact, a blemish to it. + +Insensible alike to the beauties or defects of the majestic building, +and regarding it only as the prison of his mistress, Leonard Holt +scanned it carefully on either side. But his scrutiny was attended with +no favourable result. + +Before resorting to force to obtain admission, he determined to make the +complete circuit of the structure, and with this view he shaped his +course towards the east. + +He found two small doors on the left of the northern transept, but both +were fastened, and the low pointed windows beneath the choir, lighting +the subterranean church of Saint Faith's, were all barred. Running on, +he presently came to a flight of stone steps at the north-east corner of +the choir, leading to a portal opening upon a small chapel dedicated to +Saint George. But this was secured like the others, and, thinking it +vain to waste time in trying to force it, he pursued his course. + +Skirting the eastern extremity of the fane--then the most beautiful part +of the structure, from its magnificent rose window--he speeded past the +low windows which opened on this side, as on the other upon Saint +Faith's, and did not pause till he came to the great southern portal, +the pillars and arch of which differed but slightly in character from +those of the northern entrance. + +Here he knocked as before, and was answered, as on the former occasion, +by sullen echoes from within. When these sounds died away, he placed his +ear to the huge key-hole in the wicket, but could not even catch the +fall of a footstep. Neither could he perceive any light, except that +afforded by the moonbeams, which flooded the transept with radiance. + +Again hurrying on, he passed the cloister-walls surrounding the +Convocation House; tried another door between that building and the +church of Saint Gregory, a small fane attached to the larger structure; +and failing in opening it, turned the corner and approached the +portico,--the principal entrance to the cathedral being then, as now, on +the west. + +Erected, as before mentioned, from the designs of the celebrated Inigo +Jones, this magnificent colonnade was completed about 1640, at which +time preparations were made for repairing the cathedral throughout, and +for strengthening the tower, for enabling it to support a new spire. But +this design, owing to the disorganised state of affairs, was never +carried into execution. + +At the time of the Commonwealth, while the interior of the sacred fabric +underwent every sort of desecration and mutilation,--while stones were +torn from the pavement, and monumental brasses from tombs,--while carved +stalls were burnt, and statues plucked from their niches,--a similar +fate attended the portico. Shops were built beneath it, and the +sculptures ornamenting its majestic balustrade were thrown down. + +Amongst other obstructions, it appears that there was a "high house in +the north angle, which hindered the masons from repairing that part of +it." The marble door-cases, the capitals, cornices, and pillars were so +much injured by the fires made against them, that it required months to +put them in order. At the Restoration, Sir John Denham, the poet, was +appointed surveyor-general of the works, and continued to hold the +office at the period of this history. + +As Leonard drew near the portico, he perceived, to his surprise, that a +large concourse of people was collected in the area in front of it; and, +rushing forward, he found the assemblage listening to the denunciations +of Solomon Eagle, who was standing in the midst of them with his brazier +on his head. The enthusiast appeared more than usually excited. He was +tossing aloft his arms in a wild and frenzied manner, and seemed to be +directing his menaces against the cathedral itself. + +Hoping to obtain assistance from the crowd, Leonard resolved to await a +fitting period to address them. Accordingly, he joined them, and +listened to the discourse of the enthusiast. + +"Hear me!" cried the latter, in a voice of thunder. "I had a vision last +night and will relate it to you. During my brief slumbers, I thought I +was standing on this very spot, and gazing as now upon yon mighty +structure. On a sudden the day became overcast, and ere long it grew +pitchy dark. Then was heard a noise of rushing wings in the air, and I +could just discern many strange figures hovering above the tower, +uttering doleful cries and lamentations. All at once these figures +disappeared, and gave place to, or, it may be, were chased away by, +others of more hideous appearance. The latter brought lighted brands +which they hurled against the sacred fabric, and, in an instant, flames +burst forth from it on all sides. My brethren, it was a fearful, yet a +glorious sight to see that vast pile wrapped in the devouring element! +The flames were so vivid--so intense--that I could not bear to look upon +them, and I covered my face with my hands. On raising my eyes again the +flames were extinguished, but the building was utterly in ruins--its +columns cracked--its tower hurled from its place--its ponderous roof +laid low. It was a mournful spectacle, and a terrible proof of the +Divine wrath and vengeance. Yes, my brethren, the temple of the Lord has +been profaned, and it will be razed to the ground. It has been the scene +of abomination and impiety, and must be purified by fire. Theft, murder, +sacrilege, and every other crime have been committed within its walls, +and its destruction will follow. The ministers of Heaven's vengeance are +even now hovering above it. Repent, therefore, ye who listen to me, and +repent speedily; for sudden death, plague, fire, and famine, are at +hand. As the prophet Amos saith, 'The Lord will send a fire, the Lord +will commission a fire, the Lord will kindle a fire;' and the fire so +commissioned and so kindled shall consume you and your city; nor shall +one stone of those walls be left standing on another. Repent, or burn, +for he cometh to judge the earth. Repent, or burn, I say!" + +As soon as he concluded, Leonard Holt ran up the steps of the portico, +and in a loud voice claimed the attention of the crowd. + +"Solomon Eagle is right," he cried; "the vengeance of Heaven will +descend upon this fabric, since it continues to be the scene of so much +wickedness. Even now it forms the retreat of a profligate nobleman, who +has this night forcibly carried off the daughter of a citizen." + +"What nobleman?" cried a bystander. + +"The Earl of Rochester," replied Leonard. "He has robbed Stephen +Bloundel, the grocer of Wood-street, of his daughter, and has concealed +her, to avoid pursuit, in the vaults of the cathedral." + +"I know Mr. Bloundel well," rejoined the man who had made the inquiry, +and whom Leonard recognised as a hosier named Lamplugh, "and I know the +person who addresses us. It is his apprentice. We must restore the +damsel to her father, friends." + +"Agreed!" cried several voices. + +"Knock at the door," cried a man, whose occupation of a smith was +proclaimed by his leathern apron, brawny chest, and smoke-begrimed +visage, as well as by the heavy hammer which he bore upon his shoulder. +"If it is not instantly opened, we will break it down. I have an +implement here which will soon do the business." + +A rush was then made to the portal, which rang with the heavy blows +dealt against it. While this was passing, Solomon Eagle, whose +excitement was increased by the tumult, planted himself in the centre of +the colonnade, and vociferated--"I speak in the words of the prophet +Ezekiel:--'Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine +iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic. Therefore will I bring forth +a fire from the midst of thee, and will bring thee to ashes upon the +earth, in the sight of all them that behold thee!'" + +The crowd continued to batter the door until they were checked by +Lamplugh, who declared he heard some one approaching, and the next +moment the voice of one of the vergers inquired in trembling tones, who +they were, and what they wanted. + +"No matter who we are," replied Leonard, "we demand admittance to search +for a young female who has been taken from her home by the Earl of +Rochester, and is now concealed within the vaults of the cathedral." + +"If admittance is refused us, we will soon let ourselves in," +vociferated Lamplugh. + +"Ay, that we will," added the smith. + +"You are mistaken, friends," returned the verger, timorously. "The Earl +of Rochester is not here." + +"We will not take your word for it," rejoined the smith. "This will show +you we are not to be trifled with." + +So saying, he raised his hammer, and struck such a tremendous blow +against the door, that the bolts started in their sockets. + +"Hold! hold!" cried the verger; "sooner than violence shall be +committed, I will risk your admission." + +And he unfastened the door. + +"Keep together," shouted the smith, stretching out his arms to oppose +the progress of the crowd. "Keep together, I say." + +"Ay, ay, keep together," added Lamplugh, seconding his efforts. + +"Conduct us to the Earl of Rochester, and no harm shall befall you," +cried Leonard, seizing the verger by the collar. + +"I tell you I know nothing about him," replied the man. "He is not +here." + +"It is false! you are bribed to silence," rejoined the apprentice. "We +will search till we find him." + +"Search where you please," rejoined the verger; "and if you _do_ find +him, do what you please with me." + +"Don't be afraid of that, friend," replied the smith; "we will hang you +and the earl to the same pillar." + +By this time, the crowd had pushed aside the opposition offered by the +smith and Lamplugh. Solomon Eagle darted along the nave with lightning +swiftness, and, mounting the steps leading to the choir, disappeared +from view. Some few persons followed him, while others took their course +along the aisles. But the majority kept near the apprentice. + +Snatching the lamp from the grasp of the verger, Leonard Holt ran on +with his companions till they came to the beautiful chapel built by +Thomas Kempe, bishop of London. The door was open, and the apprentice, +holding the light forward, perceived there were persons inside. He was +about to enter the chapel, when a small spaniel rushed forth, and, +barking furiously, held him in check for a moment. Alarmed by the noise, +an old man in a tattered garb, and a young female, who were slumbering +on benches in the chapel, immediately started to their feet, and +advanced towards them. + +"We are mistaken," said Lamplugh; "this is only Mike Macascree, the +blind piper and his daughter Nizza. I know them well enough." + +Leonard was about to proceed with his search, but a slight circumstance +detained him for a few minutes, during which time he had sufficient +leisure to note the extraordinary personal attractions of Nizza +Macascree. + +In age she appeared about seventeen, and differed in the character of +her beauty, as well as in the natural gracefulness of her carriage and +demeanour, from all the persons he had seen in her humble sphere of +life. Her features were small, and of the utmost delicacy. She had a +charmingly-formed nose--slightly _retroussé_--a small mouth, garnished +with pearl-like teeth, and lips as fresh and ruddy as the dew-steeped +rose. Her skin was as dark as a gipsy's, but clear and transparent, and +far more attractive than the fairest complexion. Her eyes were luminous +as the stars, and black as midnight; while her raven tresses, gathered +beneath a spotted kerchief tied round her head, escaped in many a wanton +curl down her shoulders. Her figure was slight, but exquisitely +proportioned; and she had the smallest foot and ankle that ever fell to +the lot of woman. Her attire was far from unbecoming, though of the +coarsest material; and her fairy feet were set off by the daintiest +shoes and hose. Such was the singular and captivating creature that +attracted the apprentice's attention. + +Her father, Mike Macascree, was upwards of sixty, but still in the full +vigour of life, with features which, though not ill-looking, bore no +particular resemblance to those of his daughter. He had a good-humoured, +jovial countenance, the mirthful expression of which even his sightless +orbs could not destroy. Long white locks descended upon his shoulders, +and a patriarchal beard adorned his chin. He was wrapped in a loose grey +gown, patched with different coloured cloths, and supported himself with +a staff. His pipe was suspended from his neck by a green worsted cord. + +"Lie down, Bell," he cried to his dog; "what are you barking at thus? +Lie down, I say." + +"Something is the matter, father," replied Nizza. "The church is full of +people." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the piper. + +"We are sorry to disturb you," said Leonard; "but we are in search of a +nobleman who has run away with a citizen's daughter, and conveyed her to +the cathedral, and we thought they might have taken refuge in this +chapel." + +"No one is here except myself and daughter," replied the piper. "We are +allowed this lodging by Mr. Quatremain, the minor canon." + +"All dogs are ordered to be destroyed by the Lord Mayor," cried the +smith, seizing Bell by the neck. "This noisy animal must be silenced." + +"Oh, no! do not hurt her!" cried Nizza. "My father loves poor Bell +almost as well as he loves me. She is necessary to his existence. You +must not--will not destroy her!" + +"Won't I?" replied the smith, gruffly; "we'll see that." + +"But we are not afraid of contagion, are we, father?" cried Nizza, +appealing to the piper. + +"Not in the least," replied Mike, "and we will take care the poor beast +touches no one else. Do not harm her, sir--for pity's sake, do not. I +should miss her sadly." + +"The Lord Mayor's commands must be obeyed," rejoined the smith, +brutally. + +As if conscious of the fate awaiting her, poor Bell struggled hard to +get free, and uttered a piteous yell. + +"You are not going to kill the dog?" interposed Leonard. + +"Have you anything to say to the contrary?" rejoined the smith, in a +tone calculated, as he thought, to put an end to further interference. + +"Only this," replied Leonard, "that I will not allow it." + +"You won't--eh?" returned the smith, derisively. + +"I will not," rejoined Leonard, "so put her down and come along." + +"Go your own way," replied the smith, "and leave me to mine." + +Leonard answered by snatching Bell suddenly from his grasp. Thus +liberated, the terrified animal instantly flew to her mistress. + +"Is this the return I get for assisting you?" cried the smith, savagely. +"You are bewitched by a pair of black eyes. But you will repent your +folly." + +"I shall never forget your kindness," replied Nizza, clasping Bell to +her bosom, and looking gratefully at the apprentice. "You say you are in +search of a citizen's daughter and a nobleman. About half an hour ago, +or scarcely so much, I was awakened by the opening of the door of the +southern transept, and peeping out, I saw three persons--a young man in +the dress of a watchman, but evidently disguised, and a very beautiful +young woman, conducted by Judith Malmayns, bearing a lantern,--pass +through the doorway leading to Saint Faith's. Perhaps they are the very +persons you are in search of." + +"They are," returned Leonard; "and you have repaid me a hundredfold for +the slight service I have rendered you by the information. We will +instantly repair to the vaults. Come along." + +Accompanied by the whole of the assemblage, except the smith, who +skulked off in the opposite direction, he passed through the low doorway +on the right of the choir, and descended to Saint Faith's. The +subterranean church was buried in profound darkness, and apparently +wholly untenanted. On reaching the charnel, they crossed it, and tried +the door of the vault formerly occupied by the sexton. It was fastened, +but Leonard knocking violently against it, it was soon opened by Judith +Malmayns, who appeared much surprised, and not a little alarmed, at the +sight of so many persons. She was not alone, and her companion was +Chowles. He was seated at a table, on which stood a flask of brandy and +a couple of glasses, and seemed a good deal confused at being caught in +such a situation, though he endeavoured to cover his embarrassment by an +air of effrontery. + +"Where is the Earl of Rochester?--where is Amabel?" demanded Leonard +Holt. + +"I know nothing about either of them," replied Judith. "Why do you put +these questions to me?" + +"Because you admitted them to the cathedral," cried the apprentice, +furiously, "and because you have concealed them. If you do not instantly +guide me to their retreat, I will make you a terrible example to all +such evil-doers in future." + +"If you think to frighten me by your violence, you are mistaken," +returned Judith, boldly. "Mr. Chowles has been here more than two +hours--ask him whether he has seen any one." + +"Certainly not," replied Chowles. "There is no Amabel--no Earl of +Rochester here. You must be dreaming, young man." + +"The piper's daughter affirmed the contrary," replied Leonard. "She said +she saw this woman admit them." + +"She lies," replied Judith, fiercely. But suddenly altering her tone, +she continued, "If I _had_ admitted them, you would find them here." + +Leonard looked round uneasily. He was but half convinced, and yet he +scarcely knew what to think. + +"If you doubt what I say to you," continued Judith, "I will take you to +every chamber in the cathedral. You will then be satisfied that I speak +the truth. But I will not have this mob with me. Your companions must +remain here." + +"Ay, stop with me and make yourselves comfortable," cried Chowles. "You +are not so much used to these places as I am, I prefer a snug crypt, +like this, to the best room in a tavern--ha! ha!" + +Attended by Judith, Leonard Holt searched every corner of the +subterranean church, except the vestry, the door of which was locked, +and the key removed; but without success. They then ascended to the +upper structure, and visited the choir, the transepts, and the nave, but +with no better result. + +"If you still think they are here," said Judith, "we will mount to the +summit of the tower?" + +"I will never quit the cathedral without them," replied Leonard. + +"Come on, then," returned Judith. + +So saying, she opened the door in the wall on the left of the choir, +and, ascending a winding stone staircase to a considerable height, +arrived at a small cell contrived within the thickness of the wall, and +desired Leonard to search it. The apprentice unsuspectingly obeyed. But +he had scarcely set foot inside when the door was locked behind him, and +he was made aware of the treachery practised upon him by a peal of +mocking laughter from his conductress. + + + + +VI. OLD LONDON FROM OLD SAINT PAUL'S. + +After repeated, but ineffectual efforts to burst open the door, Leonard +gave up the attempt in despair, and endeavoured to make his situation +known by loud outcries. But his shouts, if heard, were unheeded, and he +was soon compelled from exhaustion to desist. Judith having carried away +the lantern, he was left in total darkness; but on searching the cell, +which was about four feet wide and six deep, he discovered a narrow +grated loophole. By dint of great exertion, and with the help of his +sword, which snapped in twain as he used it, he managed to force off one +of the rusty bars, and to squeeze himself through the aperture. All his +labour, however, was thrown away. The loophole opened on the south side +of the tower, near one of the large buttresses, which projected several +yards beyond it on the left, and was more than twenty feet above the +roof; so that it would be certain destruction to drop from so great a +height. + +The night was overcast, and the moon hidden behind thick clouds. Still, +there was light enough to enable him to discern the perilous position in +which he stood. After gazing below for some time, Leonard was about to +return to the cell, when, casting his eyes upwards, he thought he +perceived the end of a rope about a foot above his head, dangling from +the upper part of the structure. No sooner was this discovery made, than +it occurred to him that he might possibly liberate himself by this +unlooked for aid; and, regardless of the risk he ran, he sprang upwards +and caught hold of the rope. It was firmly fastened above, and sustained +his weight well. + +Possessed of great bodily strength and activity, and nerved by +desperation, Leonard Holt placed his feet against the buttress, and +impelled himself towards one of the tall pointed windows lighting the +interior of the tower; but though he reached the point at which he +aimed, the sway of the rope dragged him back before he could obtain a +secure grasp of the stone shaft; and, after another ineffectual effort, +fearful of exhausting his strength, he abandoned the attempt, and began +to climb up the rope with his hands and knees. Aided by the inequalities +of the roughened walls, he soon gained a range of small Saxon arches +ornamenting the tower immediately beneath the belfry, and succeeded in +planting his right foot on the moulding of one of them; he instantly +steadied himself, and with little further effort clambered through an +open window. + +His first act on reaching the belfry was to drop on his knees, and +return thanks to Heaven for his deliverance. He then looked about for an +outlet; but though a winding staircase existed in each of the four +angles of the tower, all the doors, to his infinite disappointment, were +fastened on the other side. He was still, therefore, a prisoner. + +Determined, however, not to yield to despair, he continued his search, +and finding a small door opening upon a staircase communicating with the +summit of the tower, he unfastened it (for the bolt was on his own +side), and hurried up the steps. Passing through another door bolted +like the first within side, he issued upon the roof. He was now on the +highest part of the cathedral, and farther from his hopes than ever; and +so agonizing were his feelings, that he almost felt tempted to fling +himself headlong downwards. Beneath him lay the body of the mighty +fabric, its vast roof, its crocketed pinnacles, its buttresses and +battlements scarcely discernible through the gloom, but looking like +some monstrous engine devised to torture him. + +Wearied with gazing at it, and convinced of the futility of any further +attempt at descent, Leonard Holt returned to the belfry, and, throwing +himself on the boarded floor, sought some repose. The fatigue he had +undergone was so great, that, notwithstanding his anxiety, he soon +dropped asleep, and did not awake for several hours. On opening his +eyes, it was just getting light, and shaking himself, he again prepared +for action. All the events of the night rushed upon his mind, and he +thought with unutterable anguish of Amabel's situation. Glancing round +the room, it occurred to him that he might give the alarm by ringing the +enormous bells near him; but though he set them slightly in motion, he +could not agitate the immense clappers sufficiently to produce any +sound. + +Resolved, however, to free himself at any hazard, he once more repaired +to the summit of the tower, and leaning over the balustrade, gazed +below. It was a sublime spectacle, and, in spite of his distress, filled +him with admiration and astonishment. He had stationed himself on the +south side of the tower, and immediately beneath him lay the broad roof +of the transept, stretching out to a distance of nearly two hundred +feet. On the right, surrounded by a double row of cloisters, remarkable +for the beauty of their architecture, stood the convocation, or +chapter-house. The exquisite building was octagonal in form, and +supported by large buttresses, ornamented on each gradation by crocketed +pinnacles. Each side, moreover, had a tall pointed window, filled with +stained glass, and was richly adorned with trefoils and cinquefoils. +Further on, on the same side, was the small low church dedicated to +Saint Gregory, overtopped by the south-western tower of the mightier +parent fane. + +It was not, however, the cathedral itself, but the magnificent view it +commanded, that chiefly attracted the apprentice's attention. From the +elevated point on which he stood, his eye ranged over a vast tract of +country bounded by the Surrey hills, and at last settled upon the river, +which in some parts was obscured by a light haze, and in others tinged +with the ruddy beams of the newly-risen sun. Its surface was spotted, +even at this early hour, with craft, while innumerable vessels of all +shapes and sizes were moored, to its banks. On. the left, he noted the +tall houses covering London Bridge; and on the right, traced the +sweeping course of the stream as it flowed from Westminster. On this +hand, on the opposite bank, lay the flat marshes of Lambeth; while +nearer stood the old bull-baiting and bear-baiting establishments, the +flags above which could be discerned above the tops of the surrounding +habitations. A little to the left was the borough of Southwark, even +then a large and populous district--the two most prominent features in +the scene being Winchester House, and Saint Saviour's old and beautiful +church. + +Filled with wonder at what he saw, Leonard looked towards the east, and +here an extraordinary prospect met his gaze. The whole of the city of +London was spread out like a map before him, and presented a dense mass +of ancient houses, with twisted chimneys, gables, and picturesque +roofs--here and there overtopped by a hall, a college, an hospital, or +some other lofty structure. This vast collection of buildings was girded +in by grey and mouldering walls, approached by seven gates, and +intersected by innumerable narrow streets. The spires and towers of the +churches shot up into the clear morning air--for, except in a few +quarters, no smoke yet issued from the chimneys. On this side, the view +of the city was terminated by the fortifications and keep of the Tower. +Little did the apprentice think, when he looked at the magnificent scene +before him, and marvelled at the countless buildings he beheld, that, +ere fifteen months had elapsed, the whole mass, together with the mighty +fabric on which he stood, would be swept away by a tremendous +conflagration. Unable to foresee this direful event, and lamenting only +that so fair a city should be a prey to an exterminating pestilence, he +turned towards the north, and suffered his gaze to wander over +Finsbury-fields, and the hilly ground beyond them--over Smithfield and +Clerkenwell, and the beautiful open country adjoining Gray's-inn-lane. + +So smiling and beautiful did these districts appear, that he could +scarcely fancy they were the chief haunts of the horrible distemper. But +he could not blind himself to the fact that in Finsbury-fields, as well +as in the open country to the north of Holborn, plague-pits had been +digged and pest-houses erected; and this consideration threw such a +gloom over the prospect, that, in order to dispel the effect, he changed +the scene by looking towards the west. Here his view embraced all the +proudest mansions of the capital, and tracing the Strand to Charing +Cross, long since robbed of the beautiful structure from which it +derived its name, and noticing its numerous noble habitations, his eye +finally rested upon Whitehall: and he heaved a sigh as he thought that +the palace of the sovereign was infected by as foul a moral taint as the +hideous disease that ravaged the dwellings of his subjects. + +At the time that Leonard Holt gazed upon the capital, its picturesque +beauties were nearly at their close. In a little more than a year and a +quarter afterwards, the greater part of the old city was consumed by +fire; and though it was rebuilt, and in many respects improved, its +original and picturesque character was entirely destroyed. + +It seems scarcely possible to conceive a finer view than can be gained +from the dome of the modern cathedral at sunrise on a May morning, when +the prospect is not dimmed by the smoke of a hundred thousand +chimneys--when the river is just beginning to stir with its numerous +craft, or when they are sleeping on its glistening bosom--when every +individual house, court, church, square, or theatre, can be +discerned--when the eye can range over the whole city on each side, and +calculate its vast extent. It seems scarcely possible, we say, to +suppose at any previous time it could be more striking; and yet, at the +period under consideration, it was incomparably more so. Then, every +house was picturesque, and every street a collection of picturesque +objects. Then, that which was objectionable in itself, and contributed +to the insalubrity of the city, namely, the extreme narrowness of the +streets, and overhanging stories of the houses, was the main source of +their beauty. Then, the huge projecting signs with their fantastical +iron-work--the conduits--the crosses (where crosses remained)--the +maypoles--all were picturesque; and as superior to what can now be seen, +as the attire of Charles the Second's age is to the ugly and disfiguring +costume of our own day. + +Satiated with this glorious prospect, Leonard began to recur to his own +situation, and carefully scrutinizing every available point on the side +of the Tower, he thought it possible to effect his descent by clambering +down the gradations of one of the buttresses. Still, as this experiment +would be attended with the utmost danger, while, even if he reached the +roof, he would yet be far from his object, he resolved to defer it for a +short time, in the hope that ere long seine of the bell-ringers, or +other persons connected with the cathedral, might come thither and set +him free. + +While thus communing with himself, he heard a door open below; and +hurrying down the stairs at the sound, he beheld, to his great surprise +and joy, the piper's daughter, Nizza Macascree. + +"I have searched for you everywhere," she cried, "and began to think +some ill had befallen you. I overheard Judith Malmayns say she had shut +you up in a cell in the upper part of the tower. How did you escape +thence?" + +Leonard hastily explained. + +"I told you I should never forget the service you rendered me in +preserving the life of poor Bell," pursued Nizza, "and what I have done +will prove I am not unmindful of my promise I saw you search the +cathedral last night with Judith, and noticed that she returned from the +tower unaccompanied by you. At first I supposed you might have left the +cathedral without my observing you, and I was further confirmed in the +idea by what I subsequently heard." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Leonard. "What did you hear?" + +"I followed Judith to the vaults of Saint Faith's," replied Nizza, "and +heard her inform your companions that you had found the grocer's +daughter, and had taken her away." + +"And this false statement imposed upon them?" cried Leonard. + +"It did," replied Nizza. "They were by this time more than half +intoxicated by the brandy given them by Chowles, the coffin-maker, and +they departed in high dudgeon with you." + +"No wonder!" exclaimed Leonard. + +"They had scarcely been gone many minutes," pursued Nizza, "when, having +stationed myself behind one of the massive pillars in the north aisle of +Saint Faith's--for I suspected something was wrong--I observed Judith +and Chowles steal across the nave, and proceed towards the vestry. The +former tapped at the door, and they were instantly admitted by Mr. +Quatremain, the minor canon. Hastening to the door, which was left +slightly ajar, I perceived two young gallants, whom I heard addressed as +the Earl of Rochester and Sir George Etherege, and a young female, who I +could not doubt was Amabel. The earl and his companion laughed heartily +at the trick Judith had played you, and which the latter detailed to +them; but Amabel took no part in their merriment, but, on the contrary, +looked very grave, and even wept." + +"Wept, did she?" cried Leonard, in a voice of much emotion. "Then, there +is hope for her yet." + +"You appear greatly interested in her," observed Nizza, pausing, in her +narration. "Do you love her?" + +"Can you ask it?" cried Leonard, passionately. + +"I would advise you to think no more of her, and to fix your heart +elsewhere," returned Nizza. + +"You know not what it is to love," replied the apprentice, "or you would +not offer such a counsel." + +"Perhaps not," replied Nizza; "but I am sorry you have bestowed your +heart upon one who so little appreciates the boon." + +And, feeling she had said too much, she blushed deeply, and cast down +her eyes. + +Unconscious of her confusion, and entirely engrossed by the thought of +his mistress, Leonard urged her to proceed. + +"Tell me what has become of Amabel--where I shall find her?" he cried. + +"You will find her soon enough," replied Nizza. "She has not left the +cathedral. But hear me to an end. On learning you were made a prisoner, +I ran to the door leading to the tower, but found that Judith had locked +it, and removed the key. Not daring to give the alarm--for I had +gathered from what was said that the three vergers were in the earl's +pay--I determined to await a favourable opportunity to release you. +Accordingly I returned to the vestry door, and again played the +eaves-dropper. By this time, another person, who was addressed as Major +Pillichody, and who, it appeared, had been employed in the abduction, +had joined the party. He informed the earl that Mr. Bloundel was in the +greatest distress at his daughter's disappearance, and advised him to +lose no time in conveying her to some secure retreat. These tidings +troubled Amabel exceedingly, and the earl endeavoured to pacify her by +promising to espouse her at daybreak, and, as soon as the ceremony was +over, to introduce her in the character of his countess to her parents." + +"Villain!" cried Leonard; "but go on." + +"I have little more to tell," replied Nizza, "except that she consented +to the proposal, provided she was allowed to remain till six o'clock, +the hour appointed for the marriage, with Judith." + +"Bad as that alternative is, it is better than the other," observed +Leonard. "But how did you procure the key of the winding staircase?" + +"I fortunately observed where Judith had placed it," replied Nizza, "and +when she departed to the crypt near the charnel, with Amabel, I +possessed myself of it. For some time I was unable to use it, because +the Earl of Rochester and Sir George Etherege kept pacing to and fro in +front of the door, and their discourse convinced me that the marriage +was meant to be a feigned one, for Sir George strove to dissuade his +friend from the step he was about to take; but the other only laughed at +his scruples. As soon as they retired, which is not more than half an +hour ago, I unlocked the door, and hurried up the winding stairs. I +searched every chamber, and began to think you were gone, or that +Judith's statement was false. But I resolved to continue my search until +I was fully satisfied on this point, and accordingly ascended to the +belfry. You are aware of the result." + +"You have rendered me a most important service," replied Leonard; "and I +hope hereafter to prove my gratitude. But let us now descend to the +choir, where I will conceal myself till Amabel appears. This marriage +must be prevented." + +Before quitting the belfry, Leonard chanced to cast his eyes on a stout +staff left there, either by one of the bell-ringers or some chance +visitant, and seizing it as an unlooked-for prize, he ran down the +steps, followed by the piper's daughter. + +On opening the lowest door, he glanced towards the choir, and there +before the high altar stood Quatremain in his surplice, with the earl +and Amabel, attended by Etherege and Pillichody. The ceremony had just +commenced. Not a moment was to be lost. Grasping his staff, the +apprentice darted along the nave, and, rushing up to the pair, +exclaimed in a loud voice, "Hold! I forbid this marriage. It must not +take place!" + +"Back, sirrah!" cried Etherege, drawing his sword, and opposing the +approach of the apprentice. "You have no authority to interrupt it. +Proceed, Mr. Quatremain." + +"Forbear!" cried a voice of thunder near them--and all turning at the +cry, they beheld Solomon Eagle, with his brazier on his head, issue from +behind the stalls. "Forbear!" cried the enthusiast, placing himself +between the earl and Amabel, both of whom recoiled at his approach. +"Heaven's altar must not be profaned with these mockeries! And you, +Thomas Quatremain, who have taken part in this unrighteous transaction, +make clean your breast, and purge yourself quickly of your sins, for +your hours are numbered. I read in your livid looks and red and burning +eyeballs that you are smitten by the pestilence." + + + + +VII. PAUL'S WALK. + +It will now be necessary to ascertain what took place at the grocer's +habitation subsequently to Amabel's abduction. Leonard Holt having +departed, Pillichody was preparing to make good his retreat, when he was +prevented by Blaize, who, hearing a noise in the yard, peeped cautiously +out at the back-door, and inquired who was there? + +"Are you Mr. Bloundel?" rejoined Pillichody, bethinking him of a plan to +turn the tables upon the apprentice. + +"No, I am his porter," replied the other. + +"What, Blaize!" replied Pillichody. "Thunder and lightning! don't you +remember Bernard Boutefeu, the watchman?" + +"I don't remember any watchman of that name, and I cannot discern your +features," rejoined Blaize. "But your voice sounds familiar to me. What +are you doing there?" + +"I have been trying to prevent Leonard Holt from carrying off your +master's daughter, the fair Mistress Amabel," answered Pillichody. "But +he has accomplished his villanous purpose in spite of me." + +"The devil he has!" cried Blaize. "Here is a pretty piece of news for my +master. But how did you discover him?" + +"Chancing to pass along the entry on the other side of that wall about a +quarter of an hour ago," returned Pillichody, "I perceived a rope-ladder +fastened to it, and wishing to ascertain what was the matter, I mounted +it, and had scarcely got over into the yard, when I saw two persons +advancing. I concealed myself beneath the shadow of the wall, and they +did not notice me; but I gathered from their discourse who they were and +what was their design. I allowed Amabel to ascend, but just as the +apprentice was following, I laid hold of the skirt of his doublet, and, +pulling him back, desired him to come with me to his master. He answered +by drawing his sword, and would have stabbed me, but I closed with him, +and should have secured him if my foot had not slipped. While I was on +the ground, he dealt me a severe blow, and ran after his mistress." + +"Just like him," replied Blaize. "He took the same cowardly advantage of +me last night." + +"No punishment will be too severe for him," rejoined Pillichody, "and I +hope your master will make a terrible example of him." + +"How fortunate I was not gone to bed!" exclaimed Blaize, "I had just +taken a couple of rufuses, and was about to put on my nightcap, when, +hearing a noise without, and being ever on the alert to defend my +master's property, even at the hazard of my life, I stepped forth and +found you." + +"I will bear testimony to your vigilance and courage," returned +Pillichody; "but you had better go and alarm your master, I will wait +here." + +"Instantly I-instantly!" cried Blaize, rushing upstairs. + +On the way to Mr. Bloundel's chamber, he met Patience, and told her what +he had heard. She was inclined to put a very different construction on +the story; but as she bore the apprentice no particular good-will, she +determined to keep her opinion to herself, and let affairs take their +course. The grocer was soon aroused, and scarcely able to credit the +porter's intelligence, and yet fearing something must be wrong, he +hastily attired himself, and proceeded to Amabel's room. It was empty, +and it was evident from the state in which everything was left, that she +had never retired to rest. Confounded by the sight, Bloundel then +hurried downstairs in search of the apprentice, but he was nowhere to be +found. By this time, Mrs. Bloundel had joined him, and on hearing +Blaize's story, utterly scouted it. + +"It cannot be," she cried. "Leonard could have no motive for acting +thus. He had our consent to the union, and the sole obstacle to it was +Amabel herself. Is it likely he would run away with her?" + +"I am sure I do not know," replied Patience, "but he was desperately in +love, that's certain; and when people are in love, I am told they do +very strange and unaccountable things. Perhaps he may have carried her +off against her will." + +"Very likely," rejoined Blaize. "I thought I heard a scream, and should +have called out at the moment, but a rufus stuck in my throat and +prevented me." + +"Where is the person who says he intercepted them?" asked Bloundel. + +"In the yard," answered Blaize. + +"Bid him come hither," rejoined his master. "Stay, I will go to him +myself." + +With this, the whole party, including old Josyna and Stephen--the two +boys and little Christiana not having been disturbed--proceeded to the +yard, where they found Pillichody in his watchman's dress, who related +his story more circumstantially than before. + +"I don't believe a word of it," cried Mrs. Bloundel; "and I will stake +my life it is one of the Earl of Rochester's tricks." + +"Were I assured that such was the case," said the grocer, in a stern +whisper to his wife, "I would stir no further in the matter. My threat +to Amabel was not an idle one." + +"I may be mistaken," returned Mrs. Bloundel, almost at her wit's end +with anxiety. "Don't mind what I say. Judge for yourself. Oh dear! what +_will_ become of her?" she mentally ejaculated. + +"Lanterns and links!" cried Pillichody. "Do you mean to impeach my +veracity, good mistress? I am an old soldier, and as tenacious of my +honour as your husband is of his credit." + +"This blustering will not serve your turn, fellow," observed the grocer, +seizing him by the collar. "I begin to suspect my wife is in the right, +and will at all events detain you." + +"Detain me! on what ground?" asked Pillichody. + +"As an accomplice in my daughter's abduction," replied Bloundel. "Here, +Blaize--Stephen, hold him while I call the watch. This is a most +mysterious affair, but I will soon get at the bottom of it." + +By the grocer's directions, Pillichody, who very quietly entered the +house, and surrendered his halberd to Blaize, was taken to the kitchen. +Bloundel then set forth, leaving Stephen on guard at the yard door, +while his wife remained in the shop, awaiting his return. + +On reaching the kitchen with the prisoner, Blaize besought his mother, +who, as well as Patience, had accompanied him thither, to fetch a bottle +of sack. While she went for the wine, and the porter was stalking to and +fro before the door with the halberd on his shoulder, Patience whispered +to Pillichody, "I know who you are. You came here last night with the +Earl of Rochester in the disguise of a quack doctor." + +"Hush!" cried Pillichody, placing his finger on his lips. + +"I am not going to betray you," returned Patience, in the same tone. +"But you are sure to be found out, and had better beat a retreat before +Mr. Bloundel returns." + +"I won't lose a moment," replied Pillichody, starting to his feet. + +"What's the matter?" cried Blaize, suddenly halting. + +"I only got up to see whether the wine was coming," replied Pillichody. + +"Yes, here it is," replied Blaize, as his mother reappeared; "and now +you shall have a glass of such sack as you never yet tasted." + +And pouring out a bumper, he offered it to Pillichody. The latter took +the glass; but his hand shook so violently that he could not raise it to +his lips. + +"What ails you, friend?" inquired Blaize, uneasily. + +"I don't know," replied Pillichody; "but I feel extremely unwell." + +"He looks to me as if he had got the plague," observed Patience, to +Blaize. + +"The plague!" exclaimed the latter, letting fall the glass, which +shivered to pieces on the stone floor. "And I have touched him. Where is +the vinegar-bottle? I must sprinkle myself directly, and rub myself from +head to foot with oil of hartshorn and spirits of sulphur. Mother! dear +mother! you have taken away my medicine-chest. If you love me, go and +fetch me a little conserve of Roman wormwood and mithridate. You will +find them in two small jars." + +"Oh yes, do," cried Patience; "or he may die with fright." + +Moved by their joint entreaties, old Josyna again departed; and her back +was no sooner turned, than Patience said in an undertone to +Pillichody,--"Now is your time. You have not a moment to lose." + +Instantly taking the hint, the other uttered a loud cry, and springing +up, caught at Blaize, who instantly dropped the halberd, and fled into +one corner of the room. + +Pillichody then hurried upstairs, while Blaize shouted after him, "Don't +touch him, Master Stephen. He has got the plague! he has got the +plague!" + +Alarmed by this outcry, Stephen suffered Pillichody to pass; and the +latter, darting across the yard, mounted the rope-ladder, and quickly +disappeared. A few minutes afterwards, Bloundel returned with the watch, +and was greatly enraged when he found that the prisoner had got off. No +longer doubting that he had been robbed of his daughter by the Earl of +Rochester, he could not make up his mind to abandon her to her fate, and +his conflicting feelings occasioned him a night of indescribable +anxiety. The party of watch whom he had summoned searched the street for +him, and endeavoured to trace out the fugitives,--but without success; +and they returned before daybreak to report their failure. + +About six o'clock, Mr. Bloundel, unable to restrain himself longer, +sallied forth with Blaize in search of his daughter and Leonard. +Uncertain where to bend his steps, he trusted to chance to direct him, +resolved, if he were unsuccessful, to lay a petition for redress before +the throne. Proceeding along Cheapside, he entered Paternoster-row, and +traversed it till he came to Paul's Alley,--a narrow passage leading to +the north-west corner of the cathedral. Prompted by an unaccountable +impulse, he no sooner caught sight of the reverend structure, than he +hastened, towards it, and knocked against the great northern door. + +We shall, however, precede him, and return to the party at the altar. +The awful warning of Solomon Eagle so alarmed Quatremain, that he let +fall his prayer-book, and after gazing vacantly round for a few moments, +staggered to one of the stalls, where, feeling a burning pain in his +breast, he tore open his doublet, and found that the enthusiast had +spoken the truth, and that he was really attacked by the pestilence. As +to Amabel, on hearing the terrible denunciation, she uttered a loud cry, +and would have fallen to the ground but for the timely assistance of the +apprentice, who caught her with one arm, while with the other he +defended himself against the earl and his companions. + +But, in spite of his resistance, they would have soon compelled him to +relinquish his charge, if Solomon Eagle, who had hitherto contented +himself with gazing sternly on what was passing, had not interfered; +and, rushing towards the combatants, seized Rochester and Etherege, and +hurled them backwards with almost supernatural force. When they arose, +and menaced him with their swords, he laughed loudly and contemptuously, +crying, "Advance, if ye dare! and try your strength against one armed by +Heaven, and ye will find how far it will avail." + +At this juncture, Leonard Holt heard a musical voice behind him, and +turning, beheld Nizza Macascree. She beckoned him to follow her; and, +raising Amabel in his arms, he ran towards the door leading to Saint +Faith's, through which his conductress passed. All this was the work of +a moment, and when Rochester and Etherege, who rushed after him, tried +the door, they found it fastened withinside. + +Just then, a loud knocking was heard at the northern entrance of the +cathedral, and a verger answering the summons, Mr. Bloundel and Blaize +were admitted. On beholding the newcomers, Rochester and his companions +were filled with confusion. Equally astonished at the recounter, the +grocer grasped his staff, and rushing up to the earl, demanded, in a +voice that made the other, despite his natural audacity, quail--"Where +is my child, my lord? What have you done with her?" + +"I know nothing about her," replied Rochester, with affected +carelessness.--"Yes, I am wrong," he added, as if recollecting himself; +"I am told she has run away with your apprentice." + +Pillichody, who had changed his attire since his escape from the +grocer's dwelling, thought he might now venture to address him without +fear of discovery, and, setting his arms a-kimbo, and assuming a +swaggering demeanour, strutted forward and said, "Your daughter has just +been wedded to Leonard Holt, Mr. Bloundel." + +"It is false," cried Bloundel, "as false as the character you just +personated, for I recognise you as the knave who recently appeared +before me as a watchman." + +"I pledge you my word as a nobleman," interposed Rochester, "that your +daughter has just descended to Saint Faith's with your apprentice." + +"I can corroborate his lordship's assertion," said Etherege. + +"And I," added Pillichody. "By the holy apostle to whom this fane is +dedicated! it is so." + +"To convince you that we speak the truth, we will go with you and assist +you to search," said Rochester. + +Attaching little credit to what he heard, and yet unwilling to lose a +chance of recovering his daughter, the grocer rushed to the door +indicated by his informant, but found it fastened. + +"You had better go to the main entrance," said one of the vergers; "I +have the keys with me, and will admit you." + +"I will keep guard here till you return," said another verger + +Accompanied by Rochester and Etherege, Bloundel then proceeded to the +chief door of the subterranean church. It was situated at the south of +the cathedral, between two of the larger buttresses, and at the foot of +a flight of stone steps. On reaching it, the verger produced his keys, +but they were of no avail, for the door was barred withinside. After +many fruitless attempts to obtain admission, they were fain to give up +the attempt. + +"Well, if we cannot get in, no one shall get out," observed the verger. +"The only key that opens this door is in my possession, so we have them +safe enough." + +The party then returned to the cathedral, where they found Blaize, +Pillichody, and the two other vergers keeping watch at the door near the +choir. No one had come forth. + +Rochester then walked apart with his companions, while Bloundel, feeling +secure so long as he kept the earl in view, folded his arms upon his +breast, and determined to await the result. + +By this time, the doors being opened, a great crowd was soon collected +within the sacred structure. Saint Paul's Churchyard, as is well known, +was formerly the great mart for booksellers, who have not, even in later +times, deserted the neighbourhood, but still congregate in +Paternoster-row, Ave-Maria-lane, and the adjoining streets. At the +period of this history they did not confine themselves to the precincts +of the cathedral, but, as has been previously intimated, fixed their +shops against the massive pillars of its nave. Besides booksellers, +there were seamstresses, tobacco-merchants, vendors of fruit and +provisions, and Jews--all of whom had stalls within the cathedral, and +who were now making preparations for the business of the day. Shortly +afterwards, numbers who came for recreation and amusement made their +appearance, and before ten o'clock, Paul's Walk, as the nave was termed, +was thronged, by apprentices, rufflers, porters, water-carriers, +higglers, with baskets on their heads, or under their arms, fish-wives, +quack-doctors, cutpurses, bonarobas, merchants, lawyers, and +serving-men, who came to be hired, and who stationed themselves near an +oaken block attached to one of the pillars, and which was denominated, +from the use it was put to, the "serving-man's log." Some of the crowd +were smoking, some laughing, others gathering round a ballad-singer, who +was chanting one of Rochester's own licentious ditties; some were buying +quack medicines and remedies for the plague, the virtues of which the +vendor loudly extolled; while others were paying court to the dames, +many of whom were masked. Everything seemed to be going forward within +this sacred place, except devotion. Here, a man, mounted on the carved +marble of a monument, bellowed forth the news of the Dutch war, while +another, not far from him, on a bench, announced in lugubrious accents +the number of those who had died on the previous day of the pestilence. +There, at the very font, was a usurer paying over a sum of money to a +gallant--it was Sir Paul Parravicin--who was sealing a bond for thrice +the amount of the loan. There, a party of choristers, attended by a +troop of boys, were pursuing another gallant, who had ventured into the +cathedral booted and spurred, and were demanding "spur-money" of him--an +exaction which they claimed as part of their perquisites. + +An admirable picture of this curious scene has been given by Bishop +Earle, in his _Microcosmographia_, published in 1629. "Paul's Walk," he +writes, "is the land's epitome, or you may call it the lesser isle of +Great Britain. It is more than this--it is the whole world's map, which +you may here discern in its perfectest motion, jostling and turning. It +is a heap of stones and men, with a vast confusion of languages; and +were the steeple not sanctified, nothing could be liker Babel. The noise +in it is like that of bees, a strange humming, or buzzing, mixed of +walking, tongues, and feet: it is a kind of still roar, or loud whisper. +It is the great exchange of all discourse, and no business whatsoever, +but is here stirring and afoot. It is the synod of all parts politic, +jointed and laid together in most serious posture, and they are not half +so busy at the Parliament. It is the market of young lecturers, whom you +may cheapen here at all rates and sizes. It is the general mint of all +famous lies, which are here, like the legends of Popery, first coined +and stamped in the church. All inventions are emptied here, and not a +few pockets. The best sign of the Temple in it is that it is the +thieves' sanctuary, who rob more safely in a crowd than a wilderness, +while every pillar is a bush to hide them. It is the other expense of +the day, after plays and taverns; and men have still some oaths to swear +here. The visitants are all men without exceptions; but the principal +inhabitants are stale knights and captains out of service, men of long +rapiers and short purses, who after all turn merchants here, and traffic +for news. Some make it a preface to their dinner, and travel for an +appetite; but thirstier men make it their ordinary, and board here very +cheap. Of all such places it is least haunted by hobgoblins, for if a +ghost would walk here, he could not." + +Decker, moreover, terms Paul's Walk, or the "Mediterranean Isle," in his +"Gull's Hornbook"--"the only gallery wherein the pictures of all your +true fashionate and complimental gulls are, and ought to be, hung up." +After giving circumstantial directions for the manner of entering the +walk, he proceeds thus: "Bend your course directly in the middle line +that the whole body of the church may appear to be yours, where in view +of all, you may publish your suit in what manner you affect most, either +with the slide of your cloak from the one shoulder or the other." He +then recommends the gull, after four or five turns in the nave, to +betake himself to some of the semsters' shops the new tobacco office, or +the booksellers' stalls, "where, if you cannot read, exercise your +smoke, and inquire who has written against the divine weed." Such, or +something like it, was Paul's Walk at the period of this history. + +The grocer, who had not quitted his post, remained a silent and +sorrowful spectator of the scene. Despite his anxiety, he could not help +moralizing upon it, and it furnished him with abundant food for +reflection. As to Rochester and his companions, they mingled with the +crowd--though the earl kept a wary eye on the door--chatted with the +prettiest damsels--listened to the newsmongers, and broke their fast at +the stall of a vendor of provisions, who supplied them with tolerable +viands, and a bottle of excellent Rhenish. Blaize was soon drawn away by +one of the quacks, and, in spite of his master's angry looks, he could +not help purchasing one of the infallible antidotes offered for sale by +the charlatan. Parravicin had no sooner finished his business with the +usurer than he strolled along the nave, and was equally surprised and +delighted at meeting with his friends, who briefly explained to him why +they were there. + +"And how do you expect the adventure to terminate?" asked Parravicin, +laughing heartily at the recital. + +"Heaven knows," replied the earl. "But what are you doing here?" + +"I came partly to replenish my purse, for I have had a run of ill luck +of late," replied the knight; "and partly to see a most beautiful +creature, whom I accidentally discovered here yesterday." + +"A new beauty!" cried Rochester. "Who is she?" + +"Before I tell you, you must engage not to interfere with me," replied +Parravicin. "I have marked her for my own." + +"Agreed," replied Rochester. "Now, her name?" + +"She is the daughter of a blind piper, who haunts the cathedral," +replied Parravicin, "and her name is Nizza Macascree. Is it not +charming? But you shall see her." + +"We must not go too far from the door of Saint Faith's," rejoined +Rochester. "Can you not contrive to bring her hither?" + +"That is more easily said than done," replied Parravicin. "She is as coy +as the grocer's daughter. However, I will try to oblige you." + +With this, he quitted his companions, and returning shortly afterwards, +said, "My mistress has likewise disappeared. I found the old piper +seated at the entrance of Bishop Kempe's chapel, attended by his +dog--but he missed his daughter when he awoke in the morning, and is in +great trouble about her." + +"Strange!" cried Etherege; "I begin to think the place is enchanted." + +"It would seem so, indeed," replied Rochester. + +While they were thus conversing, Pillichody, who was leaning against a +column, with his eye fixed upon the door leading to Saint Faith's, +observed it open, and the apprentice issue from it accompanied by two +masked females. All three attempted to dart across the transept and gain +the northern entrance, but they were Intercepted. Mr. Bloundel caught +hold of Leonard's arm, and Rochester seized her whom he judged by the +garb to be Amabel, while Parravicin, recognising Nizza Macascree, as he +thought, by her dress, detained her. + +"What is the meaning of all this, Leonard?" demanded the grocer, +angrily. + +"You shall have an explanation instantly," replied the apprentice; "but +think not of me--think only of your daughter." + +"My father!--my father!" cried the damsel, who had been detained by +Parravicin, taking off her mask, and rushing towards the grocer. + +"Who then have I got?" cried Rochester. + +"The piper's daughter, I'll be sworn," replied Etherege. + +"You are right," replied Nizza, unmasking. "I changed dresses with +Amabel, and hoped by so doing to accomplish her escape, but we have been +baffled. However, as her father is here, it is of little consequence." + +"Amabel," said the grocer, repulsing her, "before I receive you again, I +must be assured that you have not been alone with the Earl of +Rochester." + +"She has not, sir," replied the apprentice. "Visit your displeasure on +my head. I carried her off and would have wedded her." + +"What motive had you for this strange conduct?" asked Bloundel, +incredulously. + +Before Leonard could answer, Pillichody stepped forward, and said to the +grocer, "Mr. Bloundel, you are deceived--on the faith of a soldier you +are." + +"Peace, fool!" said Rochester, "I will not be outdone in generosity by +an apprentice. Leonard Holt speaks the truth." + +"If so," replied Bloundel, "he shall never enter my house again. Send +for your indentures to-night," he continued sharply, to Leonard, "but +never venture to approach me more." + +"Father, you are mistaken," cried Amabel. "Leonard Holt is not to blame. +I alone deserve your displeasure." + +"Be silent!" whispered the apprentice; "you destroy yourself. I care not +what happens to me, provided you escape the earl." + +"Come home, mistress," cried the grocer, dragging her through the crowd +which had gathered round them. + +"Here is a pretty conclusion to the adventure!" cried Parravicin; "but +where is the apprentice--and where is the pretty Nizza Macascree? 'Fore +heaven," he added, as he looked around for them in vain, "I should not +wonder if they have eloped together." + +"Nor I," replied Rochester. "I admire the youth's spirit, and trust he +may be more fortunate with his second mistress than with his first." + +"It shall be my business to prevent that," rejoined Parravicin. "Help me +to search for her." + +* * * * * + + + + +VIII. THE AMULET. + +As the grocer disappeared with his daughter, Nizza Macascree, who had +anxiously watched the apprentice, observed him turn deadly pale, and +stagger; and instantly springing to his side, she supported him to a +neighbouring column, against which he leaned till he had in some degree +recovered from the shock. He then accompanied her to Bishop Kempe's +beautiful chapel in the northern aisle, where she expected to find her +father; but it was empty. + +"He will be back presently," said Nizza. "He is no doubt making the +rounds of the cathedral. Bell will take care of him. Sit down on that +bench while I procure you some refreshment. You appear much in need of +it." + +And without waiting for a reply, she ran off, and presently afterwards +returned with a small loaf of bread and a bottle of beer. + +"I cannot eat," said Leonard, faintly. But seeing that his kind provider +looked greatly disappointed, he swallowed a few mouthfuls, and raised +the bottle to his lips. As he did so, a sudden feeling of sickness +seized him, and he set it down untasted. + +"What ails you?" asked Nizza, noticing his altered looks with +uneasiness. + +"I know not," he replied. "I have never felt so ill before." + +"I thought you were suffering from agitation," she rejoined, as a +fearful foreboding crossed her. + +"I shall be speedily released from further trouble," replied the +apprentice. "I am sure I am attacked by the plague." + +"Oh! say not so!" she rejoined. "You may be mistaken." + +But though she tried to persuade herself she spoke the truth, her heart +could not be deceived. + +"I scarcely desire to live," replied the apprentice, in a melancholy +tone, "for life has lost all charms for me. But do not remain here, or +you may be infected by the distemper." + +"I will never leave you," she hastily rejoined; "that is," she added, +checking herself, "till I have placed you in charge of some one who will +watch over you." + +"No one will watch over me," returned Leonard. "My master has dismissed +me from his service, and I have no other friend left. If you will tell +one of the vergers what is the matter with me, he will summon the +Examiner of Health, who will bring a litter to convey me to the +pest-house." + +"If you go thither your fate is sealed," replied Nizza. + +"I have said I do not desire to live," returned the apprentice. + +"Do not indulge in these gloomy thoughts, or you are certain to bring +about a fatal result," said Nizza. "Would I knew how to aid you! But I +still hope you are deceived as to the nature of your attack." + +"I cannot be deceived," replied Leonard, whose countenance proclaimed +the anguish he endured. "Doctor Hodges, I think, is interested about +me," he continued, describing the physician's residence--"if you will +inform him of my seizure, he may, perhaps, come to me." + +"I will fly to him instantly," replied Nizza; and she was about to quit +the chapel, when she was stopped by Parravicin and his companions. + +"Let me pass," she said, trying to force her way through them. + +"Not so fast, fair Nizza," rejoined Parravicin, forcing her back, "I +must have a few words with you. Have I overrated her charms?" he added +to Rochester. "Is she not surpassingly beautiful?" + +"In good sooth she is," replied the earl, gazing at her with admiration. + +"By the nut-brown skin of Cleopatra!" cried Pillichody, "she beats Mrs. +Disbrowe, Sir Paul." + +"I have never seen any one so lovely," said the knight, attempting to +press her hand to his lips. + +"Release me, sir," cried Nizza, struggling to free herself. + +"Not till I have told you how much I love you," returned the knight, +ardently. + +"Love me!" she echoed, scornfully. + +"Yes, love you," reiterated Parravicin. "It would be strange if I, who +profess myself so great an admirer of beauty, did otherwise. I am +passionately enamoured of you. If you will accompany me, fair Nizza, you +shall change your humble garb for the richest attire that gold can +purchase, shall dwell in a magnificent mansion, and have troops of +servants at your command. In short, my whole fortune, together with +myself, shall be placed at your disposal." + +"Do not listen to him, Nizza," cried Leonard Holt, in a faint voice. + +"Be assured I will not," she answered. "Your insulting proposal only +heightens the disgust I at first conceived for you," she added to the +knight: "I reject it with scorn, and command you to let me pass." + +"Nay, if you put on these airs, sweetheart," replied Parravicin, +insolently, "I must alter my tone likewise. I am not accustomed to play +the humble suitor to persons of your condition." + +"Perhaps not," replied Nizza; "neither am I accustomed to this +unwarrantable usage. Let me go. My errand is one of life and death. Do +not hinder me, or you will have a heavy crime on your soul--heavier, it +may be, than any that now loads it." + +"Where are you going?" asked Parravicin, struck by her earnest manner. + +"To fetch assistance," she replied, "for one suddenly assailed by the +pestilence." + +"Ah!" exclaimed the knight, trembling, and relinquishing his grasp. "My +path is ever crossed by that hideous spectre. Is it your father who is +thus attacked?" + +"No," she replied, pointing to Leonard, "it is that youth." + +"The apprentice!" exclaimed Rochester. "I am sorry for him. Let us be +gone," he added to his companions. "It may be dangerous to remain here +longer." + +With this they all departed except Parravicin. + +"Come with us, Nizza," said the latter; "we will send assistance to the +sufferer." + +"I have already told you my determination," she rejoined; "I will not +stir a footstep with you. And if you have any compassion in your nature, +you will not detain me longer." + +"I will not leave you here to certain destruction," said the knight. +"You shall come with me whether you will or not." + +And as he spoke, he advanced towards her, while she retreated towards +Leonard, who, rising with difficulty, placed himself between her and her +persecutor. + +"If you advance another footstep," cried the apprentice, "I will fling +myself upon you, and the contact may be fatal." + +Parravicin gazed, furiously at him, and half unsheathed his sword. But +the next moment he returned it to the scabbard, and exclaiming, "Another +time! another time!" darted after his companions. + +He was scarcely gone, when Leonard reeled against the wall, and before +Nizza could catch him, fell in a state of insensibility on the floor. + +After vainly attempting to raise him, Nizza flew for assistance, and had +just passed through the door of the chapel, when she met Judith Malmayns +and Chowles. She instantly stopped them, and acquainting them with the +apprentice's condition, implored them to take charge of him while she +went in search of Doctor Hodges. + +"Before you go," said Judith, "let me make sure that he is attacked by +the plague. It may be some other disorder." + +"I hope so, indeed," said Nizza, pausing; "but I fear the contrary." + +So saying, she returned with them to the chapel. Raising the apprentice +with the greatest ease, Judith tore open his doublet. + +"Your suspicion is correct," she said, with a malignant smile. "Here is +the fatal sign upon his breast." + +"I will fetch Doctor Hodges instantly," cried Nizza. + +"Do so," replied Judith; "we will convey him to the vaults in Saint +Faith's, where poor Mr. Quatremain has just been taken. He will be +better there than in the pest-house." + +"Anything is better than that," said Nizza, shuddering. + +As soon as she was gone, Chowles took off his long black cloak, and, +throwing it over the apprentice, laid him at full length upon the bench, +and, assisted by Judith, carried him towards the choir. As they +proceeded, Chowles called out, "Make way for one sick of the plague!" +and the crowd instantly divided, and gave them free passage. In this way +they descended to Saint Faith's, and, shaping their course to the vault, +deposited their burden on the very bed lately occupied by the +unfortunate sexton. + +"He has come here to die," observed Judith to her companion. "His attack +is but a slight one, and he might with care recover. But I can bargain +with the Earl of Rochester for his removal." + +"Take heed how you make such a proposal to his lordship," returned +Chowles. "From what I have seen, he is likely to revolt at it." + +"Every man is glad to get rid of a rival," rejoined Judith. + +"Granted," replied Chowles; "but no man will _pay_ for the riddance when +the plague will accomplish it for him for nothing." + +"With due attention, I would answer for that youth's recovery," said +Judith. "It is not an incurable case, like Mr. Quatremain's. And so +Doctor Hodges, when he comes, will pronounce it." + +Shortly after this, Nizza Macaseree appeared with a countenance fraught +with anxiety, and informed them that Doctor Hodges was from home, and +would not probably return till late at night. + +"That's unfortunate," said Judith. "Luckily, however, there are other +doctors in London, and some who understand the treatment of the plague +far better than he does--Sibbald, the apothecary of Clerkenwell, for +instance." + +"Do you think Sibbald would attend him?" asked Nizza, eagerly. + +"To be sure he would," replied Mrs. Malmayns, "if he were paid for it. +But you seem greatly interested about this youth. I have been young, and +know what effect good looks and a manly deportment have upon our sex. He +has won your heart! Ha! ha! You need not seek to disguise it. Your +blushes answer for you." + +"A truce to this," cried Nizza, whose cheeks glowed with shame and +anger. + +"You can answer a plain question, I suppose," returned Judith. "Is his +life dear to you?" + +"Dearer than my own?" replied Nizza. + +"I thought as much," returned Judith. "What will you give me to save +him?" + +"I have nothing," rejoined Nizza, with a troubled look--"nothing but +thanks to give you." + +"Think again," said Judith. "Girls like you, if they have no money, have +generally some trinket--some valuable in their possession." + +"That is not my case," said Nizza, bursting into tears. "I never +received a present in my life, and never desired one till now." + +"But your father must have some money?" said Judith, inquisitively. + +"I know not," replied Nizza, "but I will ask him. What sum will content +you?" + +"Bring all you can," returned Judith, "and I will do my best." + +Nizza then departed, while Judith, with the assistance of Chowles, +covered Leonard with blankets, and proceeded to light a fire. Long +before this, the sick youth was restored to animation. But he was quite +light-headed and unconscious of his situation, and rambled about Amabel +and her father. After administering such remedies as she thought fit, +and as were at hand, Judith sat down with the coffin-maker beside a +small table, and entered into conversation with him. + +"Well," said Chowles, in an indifferent tone, as he poured out a glass +of brandy, "is it to be kill or cure?" + +"I have not decided," replied Judith, pledging him. + +"I still do not see what gain there would be in shortening his career," +observed Chowles. + +"If there would be no gain, there would be gratification," replied +Judith. "He has offended me." + +"If that is the case, I have nothing further to say," returned Chowles. +"But you promised the piper's daughter to save him." + +"We shall see what she offers," rejoined Judith; "all will depend upon +that." + +"It is extraordinary," observed Chowles, after a pause, "that while all +around us are sick or dying of the pestilence, we should escape +contagion." + +"We are not afraid of it," replied Judith. "Besides, we are part of the +plague ourselves. But I _have_ been attacked, and am, therefore, safe." + +"True," replied Chowles; "I had forgotten that. Well, if I fall ill, you +Sha'n't nurse me." + +"You won't be able to help yourself then," returned Judith. + +"Eh!" exclaimed Chowles, shifting uneasily on his seat. + +"Don't be afraid," returned Judith, laughing at his alarm. "I'll take +every care of you. We are necessary to each other." + +"So we are," replied Chowles; "so we are; and if nothing else could, +that consideration would make us true to each other." + +"Of course," assented Judith. "Let us reap as rich a harvest as we can, +and when the scourge is over, we can enjoy ourselves upon the spoils." + +"Exactly so," replied Chowles. "My business is daily-hourly on the +increase. My men are incessantly employed, and my only fear is that an +order will be issued to bury the dead without coffins." + +"Not unlikely," replied Mrs. Malmayns. "But there are plenty of ways of +getting money in a season like this. If one fails, we must resort to +another. I shall make all I can, and in the shortest manner." + +"Right!" cried Chowles, with, an atrocious laugh. "Right! ha! ha!" + +"I have found out a means of propagating the distemper," pursued Judith, +in a low tone, and with a mysterious air, "of inoculating whomsoever I +please with the plague-venom. I have tried the experiment on Mr. +Quatremain and that youth, and you see how well it has answered in both +instances." + +"I do," replied Chowles, looking askance at her. "But why destroy the +poor minor canon?" + +"Because I want to get hold of the treasure discovered by the help of +the Mosaical rods in Saint Faith's, which by right belonged to my +husband, and which is now in Mr. Quatremain's possession," replied +Judith. + +"I understand," nodded Chowles. + +While they were thus conversing, Nizza Macascree again returned, and +informed them that she could not find her father. "He has left the +cathedral," she said, "and will not, probably, return till nightfall." + +"I am sorry for it, on your account," observed Judith, coldly. + +"Why, you will not have the cruelty to neglect the poor young man till +then--you will take proper precautions?" exclaimed Nizza. + +"Why should I exert myself for one about whose recovery I am +indifferent?" said Judith. + +"Why?" exclaimed Nizza. "But it is in vain to argue with you. I must +appeal to your avarice, since you are deaf to the pleadings of humanity. +I have just bethought me that I have an old gold coin, which was given +me years ago by my father. He told me it had been my mother's, and +charged me not to part with it. I never should have done so, except in +an emergency like the present." + +As she spoke, she drew from her bosom a broad gold piece. A hole was +bored through it, and it was suspended from her neck by a chain of +twisted hair. + +"Let me look at it," said Judith taking the coin. "Who gave you this?" +she asked, in an altered tone. + +"My father?" replied Nizza; "I have just told you so. It was my +mother's." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Judith! + +"Have you ever seen it before?" inquired Nizza, astonished at the change +in the nurse's manner. + +"I have," replied Judith, "and in very different hands." + +"You surprise me," cried Nizza. "Explain yourself, I beseech you." + +"Not now--not now," cried Judith, hastily returning the coin. "And this +is to be mine in case I cure the youth?" + +"I have said so," replied Nizza. + +"Then make yourself easy," rejoined Judith; "he shall be well again in +less than two days." + +With this, she set a pan on the fire, and began to prepare a poultice, +the materials for which she took from a small oaken chest in one corner +of the vault. Nizza looked on anxiously, and while they were thus +employed, a knock was heard at the door, and Chowles opening it, found +the piper and one of the vergers. + +"Ah! is it you, father?" cried Nizza, rushing to him. + +"I am glad I have found you," returned the piper, "for I began to fear +some misfortune must have befallen you. Missing you in the morning, I +traversed the cathedral in search of you with Bell, well knowing, if you +were in the crowd, she would speedily discover you." + +His daughter then hastily recounted what had happened. When the piper +heard that she had promised the piece of gold to the plague-nurse, a +cloud came over his open countenance. + +"You must never part with it," he said--"never. It is an amulet, and if +you lose it, or give it away, your good luck will go with it." + +"Judith Malmayns says she has seen it before," rejoined Nizza. + +"No such thing," cried the piper hastily, "she knows nothing about it. +But come with me. You must not stay here longer." + +"But, father--dear father!--I want a small sum to pay the nurse for +attending this poor young man," cried Nizza. + +"I have no money," replied the piper; "and if I had, I should not throw +it away in so silly a manner. Come along; I shall begin think you are in +love with the youth." + +"Then you will not be far wide of the mark," observed Judith, coarsely. + +The piper uttered an angry exclamation, and taking his daughter's hand, +dragged her out of the vault. + +"You will not get your fee," laughed Chowles, as they were left alone. + +"So it appears," replied Judith, taking the pan from the fire; "there is +no use in wasting a poultice." + +Shortly after this, the door of the vault again opened, and Parravicin +looked in. He held a handkerchief sprinkled with vinegar to his face, +and had evidently, from the manner in which he spoke, some antidote +against the plague in his mouth. + +"Nizza Macascree has been here, has she not?" he asked. + +"She has just left with her father," replied Judith. + +Parravicin beckoned her to follow him, and led the way to the north +aisle of Saint Faith's. + +"Is the apprentice likely to recover?" he asked. + +"Humph!" exclaimed Judith; "that depends upon circumstances. Nizza +Macascree offered me a large reward to cure him." + +"Is he any connexion of hers?" asked the knight, sharply. + +"None whatever," returned Judith, with a significant smile. "But he may +possibly be so." + +"I thought as much," muttered the knight. + +"He never _shall_ recover," said Judith, halting, and speaking in a low +tone, "if you make it worth my while." + +"You read my wishes," replied Parravicin, in a sombre tone. "Take this +purse, and free me from him." + +"He will never more cross your path," replied Judith, eagerly grasping +the reward. + +"Enough!" exclaimed Parravicin. "What has passed between us must be +secret." + +"As the grave which shall soon close over the victim," she rejoined. + +Parravicin shuddered, and hurried away, while Judith returned at a slow +pace, and chinking the purse as she went to the vault. + +She had scarcely passed through the door, when Nizza Macascree appeared +from behind one of the massive pillars. "This dreadful crime must be +prevented," she cried--"but how? If I run to give the alarm, it may be +executed, and no one will believe me. I will try to prevent it myself." + +Crossing the channel, she was about to enter the vault, when Chowles +stepped forth. She shrank backwards, and allowed him to pass, and then +trying the door, found it unfastened. + + + + +IX. HOW LEONARD WAS CURED OF THE PLAGUE. + +Nizza Macascree found Judith leaning over her intended victim, and +examining the plague-spot on his breast. The nurse was so occupied by +her task that she did not hear the door open, and it was not until the +piper's daughter was close beside her, that she was aware of her +presence. Hastily drawing the blankets over the apprentice, she then +turned, and regarded Nizza with a half-fearful, half-menacing look. + +"What brings you here again?" she inquired, sharply. + +"Ask your own heart, and it will tell you," rejoined Nizza, boldly. "I +am come to preserve the life of this poor youth." + +"If you think you can nurse him better than I can, you can take my place +and welcome," returned Judith, affecting not to understand her; "I have +plenty of other business to attend to, and should be glad to be released +from the trouble." + +"Can she already have effected her fell purpose?" thought Nizza, gazing +at the apprentice, whose perturbed features proclaimed that his slumber +procured him no rest from suffering. "No--no--she has not had time. I +accept your offer," she added, aloud. + +"But what will your father say to this arrangement?" asked Judith. + +"When he knows my motive, he will not blame me," answered Nizza. "Here I +take my place," she continued, seating herself, "and will not quit it +till he is out of danger." + +"Your love for this youth borders upon insanity," cried Judith, angrily. +"You shall not destroy yourself thus." + +"Neither shall you destroy him," retorted Nizza. "It is to prevent the +commission of the crime you meditate, and for which you have been +_paid_, that I am determined to remain with him." + +As she said this, a singular and frightful change took place in the +nurse's appearance. A slight expression of alarm was at first visible, +but it was instantly succeeded by a look so savage and vindictive, that +Nizza almost repented having provoked the ire of so unscrupulous a +person. But summoning up all her resolution, she returned Judith's +glance with one as stern and steady, if not so malignant as her own. A +deep silence prevailed for a few minutes, during which each fancied she +could read the other's thoughts. In Nizza's opinion, the nurse was +revolving some desperate expedient, and she kept on her guard, lest an +attack should be made upon her life. And some such design did, in +reality, cross Judith; but abandoning it as soon as formed, she resolved +to have recourse to more secret, but not less certain measures. + +"Well," she said, breaking silence, "since you are determined to have +your own way, and catch the plague, and most likely perish from it, I +shall not try to hinder you. Do what you please, and see what will come +of it." + +And she made as if about to depart; but finding Nizza did not attempt to +stop her, she halted. + +"I cannot leave you thus," she continued; "if you _will_ remain, take +this ointment," producing a small jar, "and rub the plague-spot with it. +It is a sovereign remedy, and will certainly effect a cure." + +"I will not touch it," returned Nizza. + +"His death, then, be upon your head," rejoined Judith, quitting the +vault, and closing the door after her. + +Greatly relieved by her departure, Nizza began to consider what she +should do, and whether it would be possible to remove the apprentice to +some safer place. "While occupied with these reflections, the object of +her solicitude heaved a deep sigh, and opening his eyes, fixed them upon +her. It was evident, however, that he did not know her, but as far as +could be gathered from his ravings, mistook her for Amabel. By degrees +he grew calmer, and the throbbing anguish of the tumour in some measure +subsiding, his faculties returned to him. + +"Where am I?" he exclaimed, pressing his hand forcibly to his brow, "and +what is the matter with me?" + +"You are in a vault, near Saint Faith's," replied Nizza, "and--I will +not deceive you--the disorder you are labouring under is the plague." + +"The plague!" echoed Leonard, with a look of horror. "Ah! now I +recollect. I was attacked immediately after Amabel's departure with her +father. Heaven be praised! she is safe. That is some consolation amid +all this misery. Could my master behold me now, he would pity me, and so +perhaps would his daughter." + +"Heed her not," rejoined Nizza, in a slightly reproachful tone, "she +does not deserve consideration. To return to yourself. You are not safe +here. Judith Malmayns has been hired to take away your life. Are you +able to move hence?" + +"I hope so," replied Leonard, raising himself on his arm. + +"Wrap a blanket round you, then, and follow me," said Nizza, taking up +the lamp and hastening to the door. "Ah!" she exclaimed, with a cry of +anguish--"it is locked." + +"This building is destined to be my prison, and that treacherous woman +my gaoler," groaned Leonard, sinking backwards. + +"Do not despair," cried Nizza; "I will accomplish your deliverance." + +So saying, she tried, by knocking against the door and by loud outcries, +to give the alarm. But no answer was returned, and she soon became +convinced that Judith had fastened the door of the charnel, which, it +will be remembered, lay between the vault and the body of Saint Faith's. +Hence, no sound could teach the outer structure. Disturbed by what had +just occurred. Leonard's senses again wandered; but, exerting all her +powers to tranquillize him, Nizza at last succeeded so well that he sunk +into a slumber. + +Almost regarding his situation as hopeless, she took up the lamp, and +searching the vault, found the pan containing the half-made poultice. +The fire smouldered on the hearth, and replenishing it from a scanty +supply in one corner, she heated the poultice and applied it to the +tumour. This done, she continued her search. But though she found +several phials, each bearing the name of some remedy for the pestilence, +her distrust of Judith would not allow her to use any of them. Resuming +her seat by the couch of the sufferer, and worn out with fatigue and +anxiety, she presently dropped asleep. + +She was awakened after awhile by a slight noise near her, and beheld +Judith bending over the apprentice, with a pot of ointment in her hand, +which she was about to apply to the part affected. The poultice had +already been removed. Uttering a loud cry, Nizza started to her feet, +and snatching the ointment from the nurse, threw it away. As soon as the +latter recovered from her surprise, she seized her assailant, and forced +her into the seat she had just quitted. + +"Stir not till I give you permission," she cried, fiercely; "I wish to +cure this young man, if you will let me." + +"You intend to murder him," replied Nizza; "but while I live you shall +never accomplish your atrocious purpose. Help! help!" And she uttered a +prolonged piercing scream. + +"Peace! or I will strangle you," cried Judith, compressing Nizza's +slender throat with a powerful gripe. + +And she would, in all probability, have executed her terrible threat, if +a secret door in the wall had not suddenly opened and admitted Solomon +Eagle. A torch supplied the place of his brazier, and he held it aloft, +and threw its ruddy light upon the scene. On seeing him, Judith +relinquished her grasp, and glared at him with a mixture of defiance and +apprehension; while Nizza, half dead with terror, instantly rushed +towards him, and throwing herself at his feet, besought him to save her. + +"No harm shall befall you," replied Solomon Eagle, extending his arm +over her. "Tell me what has happened." + +Nizza hastily explained the motive of Judith's attack upon her life. The +plague-nurse endeavoured to defend herself, and, in her turn, charged +her accuser with a like attempt. But Solomon Eagle interrupted her. + +"Be silent, false woman!" he cried, "and think not to delude me with +these idle fabrications. I fully believe that you would have taken the +life of this poor youth, and, did I not regard you as one of the +necessary agents of Heaven's vengeance, I would instantly deliver you up +to justice. But the measure of your iniquities is not yet filled up. +Your former crimes are not unknown to me. Neither is the last dark deed, +which you imagined concealed from every human eye, hidden from me." + +"I know not what you mean," returned Judith, trembling, in spite of +herself. + +"I will tell you, then," rejoined Solomon Eagle, catching her hand, and +dragging her into the furthest corner of the vault. "Give ear to me," he +continued, in a low voice, "and doubt, if you can, that I have witnessed +what I relate. I saw you enter a small chamber behind the vestry, in +which Thomas Quatremain, who once filled the place of minor canon in +this cathedral, was laid. No one was there beside yourself and the dying +man. Your first business was to search his vestments, and take away his +keys." + +"Ha!" exclaimed Judith, starting. + +"While securing his keys," pursued Solomon Eagle, "the owner awakened, +and uttered a low, but angry remonstrance. Better he had been silent. +Dipping a napkin in an ewer of water that stood beside him, you held the +wet cloth over his face, and did not remove it till life was extinct. +All this I saw." + +"But you will not reveal it," said Judith, tremblingly. + +"I will not," replied Solomon Eagle, "for the reasons I have just +stated; namely, that I look upon you as one of the scourges appointed by +Heaven." + +"And so I am," rejoined Judith, with impious exultation; "it is my +mission to destroy and pillage, and I will fulfil it." + +"Take heed you do not exceed it," replied Solomon Eagle. "Lift a finger +against either of these young persons, and I will reveal all. Yes," he +continued, menacingly, "I will disclose such dreadful things against +you, that you will assuredly be adjudged to a gibbet higher than the +highest tower of this proud fane." + +"I defy you, wretch!" retorted Judith. "You can prove nothing against +me." + +"Defy me?--ha!" cried Solomon Eagle, with a terrible laugh. "First," he +added, dashing her backwards against the wall--"first, to prove my +power. Next," he continued, drawing from her pockets a bunch of keys, +"to show that I speak the truth. These were taken from the vest of the +murdered man. No one, as yet, but ourselves, knows that he is dead." + +"And who shall say which of the two is the murderer?" cried Judith. +"Villain! I charge you with the deed." + +"You are, indeed, well fitted for your appointed task," returned Solomon +Eagle, gazing at her with astonishment, "for sometimes Heaven, for its +own wise purpose, will allow the children of hell to execute its +vengeance upon earth. But think not you will always thus escape. No, you +may pursue your evil course for a while--you, and your companion in +crime; but a day of retribution will arrive for both--a day when ye +shall be devoured, living, by flames of fire--when all your sins shall +arise before your eyes, and ye shall have no time for repentance--and +when ye shall pass from one fierce fire to another yet fiercer, and +wholly unquenchable!" + +As he concluded, he again dashed her against the wall with such violence +that she fell senseless upon the ground. + +"And now," he said, turning to Nizza Macascree, who looked on in alarm +and surprise, "what can I do for you?" + +"Bear this youth to a place of safety," was her answer. + +Solomon Eagle answered by lifting up the pallet upon which Leonard was +laid, with as much ease as if it had been an infant's cradle, and +calling on Nizza to bring the torch, passed with his burden through the +secret door. Directing her to close it after them, he took his way alone +a narrow stone passage, until he came to a chink in the wall commanding +a small chamber, and desired her to look through it. She obeyed, and +beheld, stretched upon a couch, the corpse of a man. + +"It is Mr. Quatremain, the minor canon," she said, retiring. + +"It is," returned Solomon Eagle, "and it will be supposed that he died +of the plague. But his end was accelerated by Judith Malmayns." + +Without allowing her time for reply, he pursued his course, traversing +another long, narrow passage. + +"Where are we?" asked Nizza, as they arrived at the foot of a spiral +stone staircase. + +"Beneath the central tower of the cathedral," replied Solomon Eagle. "I +will take you to a cell known only to myself, where this youth will be +in perfect safety." + +Ascending the staircase, they passed through an arched door, and entered +the great northern ambulatory. Nizza gazed down for a moment into the +nave, but all was buried in darkness, and no sound reached her to give +her an idea that any one was below. Proceeding towards the west, Solomon +Eagle arrived at a small recess in the wall opposite one of the +broad-arched openings looking into the nave, and entering it, pressed +against a spring at the further extremity, and a stone door flying open, +discovered a secret cell, on the floor of which his brazier was burning. +Depositing his burden on the floor, he said to Nizza, "He is now safe. +Go in search of proper assistance, and I will watch by him till you +return." + +Nizza did not require a second exhortation, but quitting the cell, and +noticing its situation, swiftly descended the winding staircase, and +hurrying along the northern aisle, proceeded to a small chamber beneath +the tower at its western extremity, which she knew was occupied by one +of the vergers. Speedily arousing him, she told him her errand, and +implored him to remain on the watch till she returned with Doctor +Hodges. The verger promised compliance; and, opening a wicket in the +great doorway, allowed her to go forth. A few seconds brought her to the +doctor's dwelling, and though it was an hour after midnight, her summons +was promptly answered by the old porter, who conveyed her message to his +master. Doctor Hodges had just retired to rest; but, on learning in +whose behalf his services were required, he sprang out of bed, and +hastily slipped on his clothes. + +"I would not, for half I am worth, that that poor youth should perish," +he cried. "I take a great interest in him--a very great interest. He +must not be neglected. How comes he at Saint Paul's, I wonder? But I can +obtain information on that point as I go thither. No time must be lost." + +Ruminating thus, he swallowed a glass of sack, and providing himself +with a case of instruments, and such medicines as he thought he might +require, he descended to Nizza. On the way to the cathedral, she +acquainted him with what had befallen Leonard during the last +four-and-twenty hours, and the only circumstance that she kept back was +Judith's attempt on his life. This she intended to reveal at a more +fitting opportunity. The doctor expressed somewhat emphatically his +disapproval of the conduct of Mr. Bloundel, but promised to set all to +rights without loss of time. + +"The only difficulty I foresee," he observed, "is that the poor youth is +attacked by the pestilence; and though I may succeed in curing him, his +master will probably have shut up his house before I can accomplish my +object, in which case, all chance of his union with Amabel will be at an +end." + +"So much the better," rejoined Nizza, sharply; "she does not deserve +him." + +"There I agree with you," returned Hodges. "But could you point out any +one who does?" he added, with a slight but significant laugh. + +No answer was returned; and as they had just reached the portico of the +cathedral, they entered the sacred structure in silence. + +As they ascended the winding stairs, loud outcries resounded along the +ambulatory, and echoed by the vaulted roof of the nave, convinced them +that the sufferer was again in a state of frenzy, produced by fever and +the anguish of his sore; and on reaching the cell they found him +struggling violently with Solomon Eagle, who held him down by main +force. + +"He is in a fearfully excited state, truly," observed Hodges, as he drew +near, "and must not be left for a moment, or he will do himself a +mischief. I must give him a draught to allay the fever, and compose his +nerves--for in this state I dare not have recourse to the lancet." + +With this he dressed the tumour; and pouring the contents of a large +phial which he had brought with him in a cup, he held it to the burning +lips of the apprentice, who eagerly quaffed it. It was soon apparent +that the dose produced a salutary effect, and a second was administered. +Still the sufferer, though calmer, continued to ramble as +before--complained that his veins were filled with molten +lead--entreated them to plunge him in a stream, so that he might cool +his intolerable thirst, and appeared to be in great agony. Doctor Hodges +watched by him till daybreak, at which time he sank into a slumber; and +Solomon Eagle, who had never till then relinquished his hold of him, now +ventured to resign his post. The doctor was then about to depart; but at +the urgent solicitation of Nizza, who had stationed herself at the door +of the cell, he agreed to remain a little longer. + +Two hours after this, the doors of the cathedral were opened, and a +large crowd soon assembled within the nave, as on the preceding day. The +tumult of voices reached the cell and awakened the sleeper. Before he +could be prevented he started from his bed, and dashing aside the feeble +opposition offered by Nizza and the doctor, ran along the ambulatory, +uttering a loud and fearful cry. Finding the door of the winding +staircase open, he darted through it, and in a few seconds reappeared in +the aisle. Hearing the cries, several persons rushed to meet him; but on +beholding his haggard looks and strange appearance--he was merely +wrapped in a blanket,--they instantly recoiled. Mean-time, Doctor +Hodges, who had run to one of the arched openings looking on the nave, +called out to them to secure the fugitive. But all fled at his approach; +and when he reached the door of the southern transept, the verger, +instead of attempting to stop him, retreated with a cry of alarm. As he +passed through the outlet, one man bolder than the rest caught hold of +him, and endeavoured to detain him. But, leaving the blanket in his +hands, and without other covering than his shirt, the apprentice dashed +across the churchyard--next shaped his course down Saint +Bennet's-hill--then crossed Thames-street,--and finally speeding along +another narrow thoroughfare, reached Paul's Wharf. Gazing for a moment +at the current sweeping past him--it was high-tide,--he plunged head +foremost into it from the high embankment, and on rising to the surface, +being a strong and expert swimmer, struck out for the opposite shore. +Those who beheld him were filled with amazement; but such was the alarm +occasioned by his appearance, that none ventured to interfere with him. +He had not crossed more than a fourth part of the stream when Doctor +Hodges arrived at the wharf; but neither promises of reward nor threats +could induce any of the watermen to follow him. The humane physician +would have sprung into a boat, but feeling he should be wholly unable to +manage it, he most reluctantly abandoned his purpose. Scarcely doubting +what the result of this rash attempt would be, and yet unable to tear +himself away, he lingered on the wharf till he saw Leonard reach the +opposite bank, where an attempt was made by a party of persons to seize +him. But instead of quietly surrendering himself, the apprentice +instantly leapt into the river again, and began to swim back towards the +point whence he had started. Amazed at what he saw, the doctor ordered +his servant, who by this time had joined the group, to bring a blanket, +and descending to the edge of the river, awaited the swimmer's arrival. +In less than ten minutes he had reached the shore, and clambering on the +bank, fell from exhaustion. + +"This is a violent effort of nature, which has accomplished more than +science or skill could do," said Hodges, as he gazed on the body, and +saw that the pestilential tumour had wholly disappeared--"he is +completely cured of the plague." + +And throwing the blanket over him, he ordered him to be conveyed to his +own house. + + + + +X. THE PEST-HOUSE IN FINSBURY FIELDS. + +Not a word passed between the grocer and his daughter, as he took her +home from Saint Paul's. Amabel, in fact, was so overpowered by +conflicting emotions that she could not speak; while her father, who +could not help reproaching himself for the harshness he had displayed +towards Leonard Holt, felt no disposition to break silence. They found +Mrs. Bloundel at the shop-door, drowned in tears, and almost in a state +of distraction. On seeing them, she rushed towards her daughter, and +straining her to her bosom, gave free vent to the impulses of her +affection. Allowing the first transports of joy to subside, Mr. Bloundel +begged her to retire to her own room with Amabel, and not to leave it +till they had both regained their composure, when he wished to have some +serious conversation with them. + +His request complied with, the grocer then retraced his steps to the +cathedral with the intention of seeking an explanation from Leonard, +and, if he saw occasion to do so, of revoking his severe mandate. But +long before he reached the southern transept, the apprentice had +disappeared, nor could he learn what had become of him. While anxiously +pursuing his search among the crowd, and addressing inquiries to all +whom he thought likely to afford him information, he perceived a man +pushing his way towards him. As this person drew near, he recognised +Pillichody, and would have got out of his way had it been possible. + +"You are looking for your apprentice, I understand, Mr. Bloundel," said +the bully, raising his hat--"if you desire, it, I will lead you to him." + +Unwilling as he was to be obliged to one whom he knew to be leagued with +the Earl of Rochester, the grocer's anxiety overcame his scruples, and, +signifying his acquiescence, Pillichody shouldered his way through the +crowd, and did not stop till they reached the northern aisle, where they +were comparatively alone. + +"Your apprentice is a fortunate spark, Mr. Bloundel," he said. "No +sooner does he lose one mistress than he finds another. Your daughter is +already forgotten, and he is at this moment enjoying a tender +_tête-à-tête_ in Bishop Kempe's chapel with Nizza Macascree, the blind +piper's daughter." + +"It is false, sir," replied the grocer, incredulously. + +"Unbelieving dog!" cried Pillichody, in a furious tone, and clapping his +hand upon his sword, "it is fortunate for you that the disparity of our +stations prevents me from compelling you to yield me satisfaction for +the insult you have offered me. But I caution you to keep better guard +upon your tongue for the future, especially when addressing one who has +earned his laurels under King Charles the Martyr." + +"I have no especial reverence for the monarch you served under," replied +Bloundel; "but he would have blushed to own such a follower." + +"You may thank my generosity that I do not crop your ears, base +Roundhead," rejoined Pillichody; "but I will convince you that I speak +the truth, and if you have any shame in your composition, it will be +summoned to your cheeks." + +So saying, he proceeded to Bishop Kempe's chapel, the door of which was +slightly ajar, and desired the grocer to look through the chink. This +occurred at the precise time that the apprentice was seized with sudden +faintness, and was leaning for support upon Nizza Macascree's shoulder. + +"You see how lovingly they are seated together," observed Pillichody, +with a smile of triumph. "Bowers of Paphos! I would I were as near the +rich widow of Watling-street. Will you speak with him?" + +"No," replied Bloundel, turning away; "I have done with him for ever. I +have been greatly deceived." + +"True," chuckled Pillichody, as soon as the grocer was out of hearing; +"but not by your apprentice, Mr. Bloundel. I will go and inform +Parravicin and Rochester that I have discovered the girl. The knight +must mind what he is about, or Leonard Holt will prove too much for him. +Either I am greatly out, or the apprentice is already master of Nizza's +heart." + +To return to Amabel. As soon as she was alone with her mother, she threw +herself on her knees before her, and, imploring her forgiveness, hastily +related all that had occurred. + +"But for Leonard Holt," she said, "I should have been duped into a false +marriage with the earl, and my peace of mind would have been for ever +destroyed. As it is, I shall never be easy till he is restored to my +father's favour. To have done wrong myself is reprehensible enough; but +that another should suffer for my fault is utterly inexcusable." + +"I lament that your father should be deceived," rejoined Mrs. Bloundel, +"and I lament still more that Leonard Holt should be so unjustly +treated. Nevertheless, we must act with the utmost caution. I know my +husband too well to doubt for a moment that he will hesitate to fulfil +his threat. And now, my dear child," she continued, "do not the repeated +proofs you have received of this wicked nobleman's perfidy, and of +Leonard's devotion--do they not, I say, open your eyes to the truth, and +show you which of the two really loves you, and merits your regard?" + +"I will hide nothing from you, mother," replied Amabel. "In spite of his +perfidy, in spite of my conviction of his unworthiness, I still love the +Earl of Rochester. Nor can I compel myself to feel any regard, stronger +than that of friendship, for Leonard Holt." + +"You distress me, sadly, child," cried Mrs. Bloundel. "What will become +of you! I wish my husband would shut up his house. That might put an end +to the difficulty. I am not half so much afraid of the plague as I am of +the Earl of Rochester. But compose yourself, as your father desired, +that when he sends for us we may be ready to meet him with +cheerfulness." + +Mr. Bloundel, however, did _not_ send for them. He remained in the shop +all day, except at meal-times, when he said little, and appeared to be +labouring under a great weight of anxiety. As Amabel took leave of him +for the night, he dismissed her with coldness; and though he bestowed +his customary blessing upon her, the look that accompanied it was not +such as it used to be. + +On the following day things continued in the same state. The grocer was +cold and inscrutable, and his wife, fearing he was meditating some +severe course against Amabel, and aware of his inflexible nature, if a +resolution was once formed, shook off her habitual awe, and thus +addressed him: + +"I fear you have not forgiven our daughter. Be not too hasty in your +judgment. However culpable she may appear, she has been as much deceived +as yourself." + +"It may be so," replied Bloundel. "Still she has acted with such +indiscretion that I can never place confidence in her again, and without +confidence affection is as nought. Can I say to him who may seek her in +marriage, and whom I may approve as a husband,--'Take her! she has never +deceived me, and will never deceive you?' No. She _has_ deceived me, and +will, therefore, deceive others. I do not know the precise truth of the +story of her abduction (if such it was) by Leonard Holt, neither do I +wish to know it, because I might be compelled to act with greater +severity than I desire towards her. But I know enough to satisfy me she +has been excessively imprudent, and has placed herself voluntarily in +situations of the utmost jeopardy." + +"Not voluntarily," returned Mrs. Bloundel. "She has been lured into +difficulties by others." + +"No more!" interrupted the grocer, sternly. "If you wish to serve her, +keep guard upon your tongue. If you have any preparations to make, they +must not be delayed. I shall shut up my house to-morrow." + +"Whether Leonard returns or not?" asked Mrs. Bloundel. + +"I shall wait for no one," returned her husband, peremptorily. + +They then separated, and Mrs. Bloundel hastened to her daughter to +acquaint her with the result of the interview. + +In the afternoon of the same day, the grocer, who began to feel +extremely uneasy about Leonard, again repaired to Saint Paul's to see +whether he could obtain any tidings of him, and learnt, to his great +dismay, from one of the vergers, that a young man, answering to the +description of the apprentice, had been attacked by the pestilence, and +having been taken to the vaults of Saint Faith's, had made his escape +from his attendants, and, it was supposed, had perished. Horror-stricken +by this intelligence, he descended to the subterranean church, where he +met Judith Malmayns and Chowles, who confirmed the verger's statement. + +"The poor young man, I am informed," said Chowles, "threw himself into +the Thames, and was picked up by a boat, and afterwards conveyed, in a +dying state, to the pest-house in Finsbury Fields, where you will +probably find him, if he is still alive." + +Mr. Bloundel heard no more. Quitting the cathedral, he hastened to +Finsbury Fields, and sought out the building to which he had been +directed. It was a solitary farm-house, of considerable size, surrounded +by an extensive garden, and had only been recently converted to its +present melancholy use. Near it was a barn, also fitted up with beds for +the sick. On approaching the pest-house, Mr. Bloundel was greatly struck +with the contrast presented by its exterior to the misery he knew to be +reigning within. Its situation was charming,--in the midst, as has just +been stated, of a large and, until recently, well-cultivated garden, and +seen under the influence of a bright and genial May day, the whole place +looked the picture of healthfulness and comfort. But a closer view +speedily dispelled the illusion, and showed that it was the abode of +disease and death. Horrid sounds saluted the ears; ghastly figures met +the eyes; and the fragrance of the flowers was overpowered by the +tainted and noisome atmosphere issuing from the open doors and windows. +The grocer had scarcely entered the gate when he was arrested by an +appalling shriek, followed by a succession of cries so horrifying that +he felt half disposed to fly. But mustering up his resolution, and +breathing at a phial of vinegar, he advanced towards the principal door, +which stood wide open, and called to one of the assistants. The man, +however, was too busy to attend to him, and while waiting his leisure, +he saw no fewer than three corpses carried out to an outbuilding in the +yard, where they were left till they could be taken away at night for +interment. + +Sickened by the sight, and blaming himself for entering near this +contagious spot, Mr. Bloundel was about to depart, when a young +chirurgeon stepped out to him, and, in reply to his inquiries after +Leonard, said: "Twelve persons were brought in here last night, and five +this morning, but I do not remember any of their names. You can go +through the rooms and search for your apprentice, if you think proper." + +Mr. Bloundel hesitated, but his humanity overcame his apprehension, and +murmuring a prayer that he might be preserved from infection, he +followed his conductor into the house. Prepared as he was for a dreadful +spectacle, the reality far exceeded his anticipations. Along both sides +of a large room, occupying nearly the whole of the ground-floor, were +rows of pallets, on which were laid the sick, many of whom were tied +down to their couches. Almost all seemed in a hopeless state, and the +cadaverous hue of their countenances proclaimed that death was not far +off. Though the doors and windows were open, and the room was filled +with vapours and exhalations, arising from pans of coal and plates of +hot iron, on which drugs were burning, nothing could remove the putrid, +and pestilential smell that pervaded the chamber. The thick vapour +settled on the panes of the windows, and on the roof, and fell to the +ground in heavy drops. Marching quickly past each bed, the grocer noted +the features of its unfortunate occupant; but though there were many +young men, Leonard was not among the number. His conductor then led him +to an upper room, where he found the chirurgeons dressing the sores of +their patients, most of whom uttered loud shrieks while under their +hands. Here an incident occurred which deeply affected the grocer. A +poor young woman, who had been brought to the pest-house with her child +on the previous evening, had just expired, and the infant, unable to +obtain its customary nourishment, uttered the most piteous cries. It was +instantly removed by a nurse and proper food given it; but Mr. Bloundel +was informed that the plague-tokens had already appeared, and that it +would not probably live over the night. "I have no doubt," said the +young chirurgeon, "it will be buried with its mother." And so it +happened. + +The grocer turned away to hide his emotion, and endeavoured through his +blinded gaze to discover Leonard, but, as will be anticipated, without +success. Stunned by the cries and groans that pierced his ears, and +almost stifled by the pestilential effluvia, he rushed out of the house, +and gladly accepted a glass of sack offered him by his conductor, which +removed the dreadful nausea that affected him. + +"I now remember that the two last persons brought here were taken to the +barn," observed the chirurgeon; "I will go with you thither, if you +think proper." + +The grocer assented, and the chirurgeon crossed the yard, and opened the +door of the barn, on the floor of which upwards of twenty beds were +laid. Passing between them, Mr. Bloundel narrowly scrutinized every +countenance; but, to his great relief, recognised no one. One couch +alone remained to be examined. The poor sufferer within it had drawn the +coverings over his face, and when they were removed he was found quite +dead! He was a young man; and the agony he had endured in the last +struggle was shown by his collapsed frame and distorted features. It was +not, however, Leonard; and, so far satisfied, though greatly shocked, +Mr. Bloundel hurried out. + +"Thank Heaven he is not here!" he exclaimed to his conductor. + +"You have not seen the dead bodies in the outhouse," returned the other; +"it is possible his may be among them." + +"I trust not," rejoined the grocer, shuddering; "but as I have gone thus +far, I will not leave my errand unaccomplished. Suffer me to look at +them." + +The chirurgeon then led the way to a spacious outbuilding, once used for +cattle, in the midst of which stood a large frame supporting six bodies, +covered only with a sheet. Mr. Bloundel could not overcome his +repugnance to enter this shed; but the chirurgeon, who appeared +habituated to such scenes, and to regard them lightly, threw off the +sheet, and raised the corpses, one by one, that he might the better view +them. One peculiarity Mr. Bloundel noticed; namely, that the limbs of +these unfortunate victims of the pestilence did not stiffen, as would +have been the case if they had died of any other disorder; while the +blotches that appeared on the livid flesh made them objects almost too +horrible to look upon. In many cases the features were frightfully +distorted--the tongues of the poor wretches swollen and protruding--the +hands clenched, and the toes bent towards the soles of the feet. +Everything denoted the dreadful pangs that must have attended +dissolution. + +Greatly relieved to find that the whole of this ghastly group were +strangers to him, Mr. Bloundel thanked the chirurgeon, and departed. +Convinced that he had been deceived by the coffin-maker, he now began to +hope that the whole story was false; but he determined not to rest till +he had thoroughly investigated the matter. Before doing so, however, he +thought it advisable to return home, and accordingly shaped his course +toward Cripplegate, and, passing through the postern, stopped at an +apothecary's shop, and got his apparel fumigated and sprinkled with +spirits of hartshorn and sulphur. + +On reaching Wood-street, he noticed, with some uneasiness, a number of +persons gathered together before his dwelling. His fears were speedily +relieved by finding that the assemblage was collected by a preacher, who +was pronouncing an exhortation to them in tones almost as loud and +emphatic as those of Solomon Eagle. The preacher's appearance was very +remarkable, and attracted the attention of the grocer, who joined the +crowd to listen to him. As far as could be judged, he was a middle-aged +man, with black hair floating over his shoulders, earnest features, and +a grey eye of extraordinary brilliancy. His figure was slight and erect, +and his gestures as impassioned as his looks. He spoke with great +rapidity; and his eloquence, combined with his fervent manner and +expression, completely entranced his audience. He was habited in a +cassock and bands, and had taken off his cap, which was held by an +attendant, who stood near the stool on which he was mounted. The latter +differed materially from his master. His closely-cropped hair, demure +looks, sugar-loaf hat, and suit of rusty sable, seemed to proclaim him a +Puritan; but his twinkling eye--for he had but one, and wore a black +patch over the orifice--his inflamed cheeks, and mulberry nose +contradicted the idea. + +As soon as the preacher distinguished Mr. Bloundel, he addressed his +discourse to him; and, alluding to his religious habits and general +excellence of character, held him up as an example to others. The grocer +would fain have retreated; but the preacher besought him to stay, and +was proceeding in the same strain, when a sudden interruption took +place. A slight disturbance occurring amid the crowd, the attendant +attempted to check it, and in doing so received a sound buffet on the +ears. In endeavouring to return the blow, he struck another party, who +instantly retaliated, and a general affray commenced--some taking one +side, some the other. In the midst of the confusion three persons forced +their way towards the preacher, knocked him from his stool, and, +assailing him with the most opprobrious epithets, dealt him several +seemingly severe blows, and would have further maltreated him, if Mr. +Bloundel had not interposed, and, pushing aside his assailants, gave him +his hand, and led him into his dwelling, the door of which he closed. +Shortly afterwards, the crowd dispersing, the preacher's companion +entered the shop in search of his master. + +"I hope you have sustained no injury during this tumult, reverend and +dear sir?" he asked, with great apparent solicitude. + +"I am not much hurt," replied the preacher; "but I have received a blow +on the head, which has stunned me. The faintness will go off presently. +You were the cause of this disturbance, Bambolio." + +"I, Doctor Maplebury?" replied Bambolio. "I endeavoured to stop it. But +your reverence looks extremely ill. I am sure, sir," he added to Mr. +Bloundel, "after the high character my master gave you in his discourse, +and which I am persuaded you deserve, you will extend your hospitality +towards him." + +"Readily," replied the grocer. "Here, Blaize, assist the reverend +gentleman within, and bid your mistress come down stairs immediately." + +Doctor Maplebury was then conveyed between the porter and Bambolio into +the inner room, where he sank into a chair in a complete state of +exhaustion. The next moment Mrs. Bloundel made her appearance with +Amabel. The latter no sooner beheld the preacher, than she started and +trembled so violently, that she could scarcely support herself; but her +mother, who only saw a fainting man, flew to his assistance, and called +to Patience to bring restoratives. These applied, Doctor Maplebury was +soon able to rouse himself sufficiently to gaze round the room, and fix +his eyes on Amabel. + +"So our old friends are here again," said Patience in a low tone to +Blaize, as they left the room together. + +"Old friends! What do you mean?" rejoined the porter. + +"Why, the Earl of Rochester and Major Pillichody," replied Patience. "I +knew them at a glance, and so did Mistress Amabel. But if I hadn't +discovered them, the major would soon have let me into the secret by the +way in which he squeezed my hand." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Blaize, angrily. "I'll go and acquaint my master +with the trick directly." + +"Do so," replied Patience, "and the house will be shut up to-morrow. Our +only chance of averting that calamity is in the earl." + + + + +XI. HOW THE GROCER SHUT UP HIS HOUSE. + +Placed in a warm bed, and carefully tended by the humane physician, +Leonard Holt slept tranquilly for some hours, and when he awoke, though +so weak as scarcely to be able to lift an arm, he was free from all +ailment. Feeling ravenously hungry, he made known his wants; and, +provisions being set before him, he was allowed to eat and drink in +moderation. Greatly revived by the meal, he arose and attired himself in +habiliments provided for him by Hodges, who, finding him fully equal to +conversation, questioned him as to all that had occurred prior to his +seizure. + +"You have acted nobly," observed the doctor, at the close of his +recital; "and if Amabel had a spark of generosity in her composition, +she would worthily requite you. But I do not expect it. How different is +her conduct from that of the piper's pretty daughter. The latter really +loves you; and I would advise you as a friend to turn your thoughts to +her. She will make you happy: whereas the indulgence of your present +hopeless passion--for hopeless it is--can only lead to wretchedness." + +"Would I could follow your advice!" replied Leonard; "but, alas! I +cannot. Amabel does not love the Earl of Rochester more blindly, more +constantly, than I love her; and I could as soon change my nature as +transfer my affection to another." + +"I am truly sorry for it," rejoined Hodges, in a tone of deep sympathy. +"And you still desire to return to your master?" + +"Unquestionably," replied Leonard. "If I am banished the house, I shall +wander round it night and day like a ghost." + +"I will accompany you there this evening," rejoined Hodges, "and I trust +I shall be able to arrange matters without compromising Amabel. I wish I +could forward your suit more efficiently; but I see no chance of it, +and, to deal plainly with you, I do not think a marriage with her would +be for your happiness. The brilliant qualities of your noble rival at +present so dazzle her eyes, that your own solid worth is completely +overlooked. It will be well if her father can preserve her from ruin." + +"The earl shall die by my hand rather than he shall succeed in his +infamous purpose," cried Leonard, fiercely. + +"No more of this!" exclaimed Hodges. "If you would have me take an +interest in you, you will never give utterance to such a sentiment +again. Amabel has another guardian, more powerful even than her +father--the plague. Ere long the earl, who has a sufficient value for +his own safety, will fly the city." + +"I hope the pestilence will number him among its victims," observed +Leonard, in a sombre tone. + +At this juncture the old porter entered the room, and informed his +master that the piper's daughter was below, and had called to inquire +after the apprentice. + +Hodges desired she might be shown upstairs, and the next moment Nizza +was ushered into the room. On beholding the improved appearance of +Leonard, she could not repress an exclamation of delight, while a deep +blush suffused her cheeks. + +"You are surprised to find him quite well," observed Hodges, with a +smile. "Nay, you may approach him with safety. There is no fear of +contagion now." + +"Having satisfied myself on that point, I will take my leave," rejoined +Nizza, in some confusion. + +"Not till you have allowed me to return my thanks, I trust," said +Leonard, advancing towards her, and taking her hand. "I owe my life to +you." + +"Then pay the debt by devoting it to her," rejoined Hodges. "Excuse me +for a few minutes. I have business to attend to, but will be back again +directly." + +Left alone together, the young couple felt so much embarrassment that +for some minutes neither could utter a word. At length Nizza, who had +suffered her hand to remain in that of Leonard, gently withdrew it. + +"Circumstances have given me a claim to your confidence," she faltered, +"and you will not misconstrue my motive, when I ask you whether you +still retain the same affection as formerly for Amabel?" + +"Unfortunately for myself, I do," replied Leonard. + +"And unfortunately for me too," sighed Nizza. "Doctor Hodges says he can +restore you to your master's favour. You will therefore return home, and +we shall meet no more." + +"In these precarious times, those who part, though even for a few days, +can feel no certainty of meeting again," rejoined Leonard. "But I hope +we shall be more fortunate." + +"You mistake me," replied Nizza. "Henceforth I shall sedulously avoid +you. Till I saw you, I was happy, and indifferent to all else, my +affections being centred in my father and in my dog. Now I am restless +and miserable. My former pursuits are abandoned, and I think only of +you. Despise me if you will after this frank avowal. But believe that I +would not have made it if I had not resolved to see you no more." + +"Despise you!" echoed Leonard. "On no! I shall ever feel the deepest +gratitude towards you; but perhaps it is better we should meet no more." + +"And yet you throw yourself in the way of Amabel," cried Nizza. "You +have not resolution to fly from the danger which you counsel me to +shun." + +"It is too true," replied Leonard; "but she is beset by temptations from +which I hope to preserve her." + +"That excuse will not avail me," returned Nizza, bitterly. "You cannot +live without her. But I have said enough--more than enough," she added, +correcting herself. "I must now bid you farewell--for ever. May you be +happy with Amabel, and may she love you as I love you!" + +As she said this she would have rushed out of the room, if she had not +been stopped by Doctor Hodges. + +"Whither so fast?" he inquired. + +"Oh! let me go--let me go, I implore of you!" she cried, bursting into +an agony of tears. + +"Not till you have composed yourself," rejoined the doctor. "What is the +matter? But I need not ask. I wonder Leonard can be insensible to charms +like yours, coupled with such devotion. Everything seems to be at cross +purposes, and it requires some one more skilled in the affairs of the +heart than an old bachelor like myself to set them right. Sit down. I +have a few questions of importance to ask you before you depart." + +And partly by entreaty, partly by compulsion, he made her take a chair; +and as soon as she was sufficiently composed to answer him, questioned +her as to what she knew relating to Judith Malmayns and Chowles. + +"Mr. Quatremain, the minor canon, has died of the plague in one of the +vaults of Saint Faith's," he observed; "and I more than suspect, from +the appearance of the body, has not met with fair play." + +"Your suspicion is well founded, sir," replied Nizza. "Solomon Eagle +told me that the unfortunate man's end was hastened by the plague-nurse. +Nor is this her sole crime. She was hired to make away with Leonard Holt +in the same manner, and would have accomplished her purpose but for the +intervention of Solomon Eagle." + +"Neither she nor her partner in guilt, the coffin-maker, shall escape +justice this time," replied Hodges. "I will instantly cause her to be +arrested, and I trust she will expiate her offences at Tyburn. But to +change the subject. I am sincerely interested about you, Nizza, and I +wish I could make Leonard as sensible of your merits as I am myself. I +still hope a change will take place in his feelings." + +"My heart tells me the contrary," replied Nizza. "There is no hope for +either of us. Farewell, Leonard!" and she rushed out of the room. + +Soon after this Hodges quitted the apprentice, and going before a +magistrate, detailed all that had come to his knowledge concerning the +criminal practices of Judith Malmayns and Chowles. In the course of the +day the accused parties were arrested, and, after a long examination, +conveyed to Newgate. Solomon Eagle could not be found, neither could Sir +Paul Parravicin. It appeared that Mr. Quatremain's residence had been +entered on that very morning, and the box of treasure discovered in +Saint Faith's abstracted. But though the strongest suspicion of the +robbery attached to Chowles and Judith, it could not be brought home to +them. + +We shall now proceed to Wood-street, and ascertain what took place +there. Refreshments were placed before the supposed Doctor Maplebury by +the grocer, while his attendant was sent to the kitchen, and directions +given to Blaize to take every care of him; old Josyna was occupied about +her own concerns; and Pillichody, perceiving from the porter's manner +that his disguise was detected, laid aside concealment altogether, and +endeavoured to win the other over to his patron's interests. + +"If this marriage takes place," he said, "I am authorized by my noble +friend to state that he will appoint you his steward with a large +salary, and that will be a very different situation from the one you +hold at present. A nobleman's steward! Think of that. You will have a +retinue of servants under your control, and will live quite as well as +his lordship." + +"I have some scruples," hesitated Blaize. + +"Scruples! pshaw!" cried Pillichody. "You can have no hesitation in +benefiting yourself. If you remain here, the house will be shut up, and +you will be kept a close prisoner for months in the very heart of an +infected city, and I dare say will be buried in yonder cellar; whereas, +if you go with the Earl of Rochester, you will dwell in a magnificent +country mansion--a palace, I ought to call it--enjoy every luxury, and +remain there till the plague is over." + +"That last reason decides me," replied Blaize. "But I suppose his +lordship will provide himself with a medicine chest?" + +"He has already got one as large as this table," said Pillichody, "and +you shall have the key of it." + +"Enough!" exclaimed Blaise. "I am yours." + +"Pray, what am I to be?" asked Patience, who had listened to the +foregoing conversation with a smile at Blaize's credulity. + +"You, sweetheart!" exclaimed Pillichody. "I will take care of you. You +shall be my housekeeper." + +"Hold!" cried Blaize. "I cannot admit that. Patience and I are engaged." + +"Since you are promoted to such an important situation, you can make a +better match," observed Patience. "I release you from the engagement." + +"I don't choose to be released," returned Blaize; "I will marry you on +the same day that the earl weds Amabel." + +"That will be to-night, or to-morrow at the latest," said Pillichody. +"Consent, sweetheart," he added, in a whisper to Patience; "if we can +once get you and your pretty mistress out of the house, we will leave +this simpleton fool in the lurch." + +"No, I will never consent to such a thing," returned Patience, in the +same tone. + +"What's that you are saying?" inquired Blaize, suspiciously. + +"Major Pillichody says he will marry me, if you won't," returned +Patience. + +"I have just told you I will," rejoined Blaize. "But he must not +continue his attentions. I feel I shall be very jealous." + +"I am glad to hear it," returned Patience, bursting into a loud laugh, +"for that proves you love me." + +"Well," observed Pillichody, "I won't interfere with a friend; and as +there is no knowing what may occur, it will be as well to prepare +accordingly." + +So saying, he fell to work upon the provisions loading the board, and +ate and drank as if determined to lay in a stock for the next two days. + +Meantime the earl made rapid progress in the good opinion both of Mr. +Bloundel and his wife. Adapting his discourse precisely to their views, +and exerting his matchless conversational powers to their full extent, +he so charmed them that they thought they could listen to him for ever. +While thus engaged, he contrived ever and anon to steal a glance at +Amabel, and on these occasions, his eyes were quite as eloquent and +intelligible as his tongue. + +Among other topics interesting to the grocer, the persecution to which +his daughter had been recently subjected was brought forward. Mr. +Bloundel could not reprobate the earl's conduct more strongly than his +guest did; and he assailed himself with such virulence that, in spite of +her uneasiness, Amabel could not repress a smile. In short, he so +accommodated himself to the grocer's opinion, and so won upon his +regard, that the latter offered him an asylum in his house during the +continuance of the pestilence. This was eagerly accepted, and the earl, +hazarding a look at Amabel at the moment, perceived her change colour +and become greatly agitated. Mrs. Bloundel also noticed her confusion, +but attributing it to any other than the right cause, begged her, in a +low tone, to control herself. + +At length, the opportunity for which the earl had been secretly sighing +occurred. Mr. Bloundel called his wife out of the room for a moment, and +as their eldest son, Stephen, was in the shop, and the two other +children upstairs, Amabel was left alone with her lover. The door was no +sooner closed than he sprang towards her and threw himself at her feet. + +"Shall I avail myself of your father's offer, sweetheart?" he cried. +"Shall I remain here with you--the happiest of prisoners--or will you +once more accompany me? This time, our marriage shall not be +interrupted." + +"Perhaps not, my lord," she replied, gravely; "but it will be a mock +ceremonial, like the last. Do not attempt to deceive me. I am fully +aware of your intentions, and after the awful fate of the wretched +instrument of your purposed criminality, you will not readily get +another person to tempt in like manner the vengeance of Heaven. I have +had a severe struggle with myself. But at length I have triumphed over +my irresolution. I will not disguise from you that I love you +still,--and must ever, I fear, continue to love you. But I will not be +yours on the terms you propose. Neither will I leave this house with +you, nor suffer you to remain in it, in any other than your proper +character. On my father's return I will disclose all to him. If your +designs are honourable, I am sure he will no longer oppose my union with +you. If not, we part for ever." + +"Be prudent, sweet girl, I entreat of you," cried the earl imploringly. +"Your indiscretion will ruin all. There are a thousand reasons why your +father should not be consulted on the matter." + +"There are none that weigh with me," she interrupted, decidedly. "I have +been bewildered--beside myself,--but, thank Heaven, I have recovered +before it is too late." + +"You are beside yourself at this moment," cried Rochester, unable to +control his anger and mortification, "and will bitterly repent your +folly. Neither your supplications nor my rank will have any weight with +your father, prejudiced as he is against me. Fly with me, and I swear to +make you mine, without a moment's loss of time. Will not my plighted +word content you?" + +"No, my lord, you have broken it already," returned Amabel. "My father +shall know the truth." + +A dark shade passed over Rochester's countenance, and a singular and +most forbidding expression, which Amabel had once before noticed, took +possession of it. His love for her seemed changed to hate, and she +tremblingly averted her gaze. At this juncture, the door opened, and the +grocer and his wife entered the room. The former started, on seeing +Amabel and the supposed preacher in such close propinquity, and a +painful suspicion of the truth crossed his mind. He was not, however, +kept long in suspense. Throwing off his wig, and letting his own fair +ringlets fall over his shoulders, the earl tore open his cassock, and +disclosed his ordinary rich attire. At the same time, his face underwent +an equally striking change,--each feature resuming its original +expression; and the grocer, though he witnessed the whole +transformation, could scarcely believe that the same individual he had +recently beheld stood before him. + +"You now know who I am, Mr. Bloundel, and what brought me hither," said +Rochester, with a haughty salutation. + +"I do, my lord," replied the grocer, "and I give you full credit for +your daring and ingenuity. After the manner in which I have been imposed +upon myself, I can make allowance for others." He then turned to Amabel, +and said, in a severe tone, "You are no longer my daughter." + +"Father!" she cried, rushing towards him and throwing herself at his +feet, "do not cast me off for ever. I am not now to blame. It is owing +to my determination to disclose all to you that the earl has thus +revealed himself. I might have deceived you further--might have fled +with him." + +"Forgive her! oh, forgive her!" cried Mrs. Bloundel--"or, if any ill +happens to her, you will be answerable for it." + +"Is this the truth, my lord?" asked the grocer. + +Rochester bowed stiffly in acquiescence. + +"Then you are again my child," said Bloundel, raising her, and pressing +her to his bosom. "What are your intentions towards her?" he continued, +addressing the earl. + +"They may be readily surmised," replied Rochester, with a scornful +laugh. + +"Will you wed her, if I agree to the union," asked Bloundel, trembling +with concentrated rage. + +Amabel looked at her lover as if her life hung on his answer. + +Rochester affected not to hear the question, but, as it was repeated +still more peremptorily, he repeated carelessly,--"I will consider of +it." + +"Deceived! deceived!" cried Amabel, falling on her mother's neck, and +bursting into tears. + +"This outrage shall not pass unpunished," cried Bloundel. And before the +earl could draw his sword or offer any resistance, he threw himself upon +him, and hurling him to the ground, set his foot upon his bosom. + +"Do not kill him," shrieked Amabel, terrified by the stern expression of +her father's countenance. + +"What are you about to do?" gasped Rochester, struggling ineffectually +to get free. + +"Bid Stephen bring a cord," cried the grocer. + +"You are not going to hang him?" inquired Mrs. Bloundel. + +"Do as I bid you," rejoined her husband, "and lose no time." + +As she was about to leave the room, the door opened, and Doctor Hodges +entered, followed by Leonard and Stephen. + +"Mercy on us! what's the matter?" cried the former, in astonishment. + +"You are just arrived in time to prevent mischief," replied Mrs. +Bloundel. "Pray interfere between them. My husband will attend to you." + +"Arise, my lord," said Mr. Bloundel, removing his foot from the +prostrate nobleman; "you are sufficiently punished by being found in +this disgraceful condition. Remember that your life has been at my +disposal." + +Thus liberated, Rochester sprang to his feet, and regarding the group +with a menacing and disdainful look, walked up to Amabel, and saying to +her, "You shall yet be mine," strode out of the room. He then marched +along the passage, and called to Pillichody, who instantly answered the +summons. Accompanied by Hodges, the grocer followed them to the shop, +where the bully not departing so quickly as he desired, and refusing to +be more expeditious, he kicked him into the street. This done, and the +door fastened, he tarried only till he had received all needful +explanations from the friendly physician, and then returning to the +inner room, warmly greeted Leonard, and congratulated him on his +extraordinary recovery from the plague. + +Happiness was thus once more restored to every member of the grocer's +family, except Amabel, who still continued downcast and dejected, and +entreated permission to retire to her own room. A cheerful evening was +then passed by the others, and the doctor did not offer to take his +departure till the clock struck eleven. + +"It is the last night I shall spend here for some months," he said; +"perhaps the last I shall ever spend here, and I have stayed longer than +I intended, but I did not like to abridge my enjoyment." After shaking +hands cordially with the whole party, he added in an under tone, as he +took leave of Leonard, "Do not forget Nizza Macascree." + +On the following day the grocer nailed up the shutters, and locked and +barred the doors of his house. + + + + +BOOK THE THIRD. + +JUNE, 1665. + + + + +I. THE IMPRISONED FAMILY. + +The first few days of their confinement were passed by the grocer's +family in a very uncomfortable manner. No one, except Mr. Bloundel, +appeared reconciled to the plan, and even he found it more difficult of +accomplishment that he had anticipated. The darkness of the rooms, and +the want of ventilation caused by the closed windows and barred doors, +gave the house the air of a prison, and occasioned a sense of oppression +almost intolerable. Blaize declared it was "worse than being in Newgate, +and that he must take an additional rufus to set right his digestion;" +while Patience affirmed "that it was like being buried alive, and that +she would not stand it." Mr. Bloundel paid no attention to their +complaints, but addressed himself seriously to the remedy. Insisting +upon the utmost attention being paid to cleanliness, he had an abundant +supply of water drawn, with which the floors of every room and passage +were washed down daily. By such means the house was kept cool and +wholesome; and its inmates, becoming habituated to the gloom, in a great +degree recovered their cheerfulness. + +The daily routine of the establishment was as follows. The grocer arose +at dawn, and proceeded to call up the whole of his family. They then +assembled in a large room on the second story, where he offered up +thanks that they had been spared during the night, and prayed for their +preservation during the day. He next assigned a task to each, and took +care to see it afterwards duly fulfilled; well knowing that constant +employment was the best way to check repining and promote contentment. +Heretofore the servants had always taken their meals in the kitchen, but +now they always sat down to table with him. "I will make no distinction +at this season," he said; "all shall fare as I fare, and enjoy the same +comforts as myself. And I trust that my dwelling may be as sure a refuge +amid this pestilential storm as the ark of the patriarch proved when +Heaven's vengeance was called forth in the mighty flood." + +Their devotions ended, the whole party repaired to one of the lower +rooms, where a plentiful breakfast was provided, and of which they all +partook. The business of the day then began, and, as has just been +observed, no one was suffered to remain idle. The younger children were +allowed to play and exercise themselves as much as they chose in the +garret, and Blaize and Patience were occasionally invited to join them. +A certain portion of the evening was also devoted to harmless recreation +and amusements. The result may be anticipated. No one suffered in +health, while all improved in spirits. Prayers, as usual, concluded the +day, and the family retired to rest at an early hour. + +This system of things may appear sufficiently monotonous, but it was +precisely adapted to the exigencies of the case, and produced a most +salutary effect. Regular duties and regular employments being imposed +upon each, and their constant recurrence, so far from being irksome, +soon became agreeable. After a while the whole family seemed to grow +indifferent to the external world--to live only for each other, and to +think only of each other--and to Leonard Holt, indeed, that house was +all the world. Those walls contained everything dear to him, and he +would have been quite content never to leave them if Amabel had been +always near. He made no attempt to renew his suit--seldom or never +exchanging a word with her, and might have been supposed to have become +wholly indifferent to her. But it was not so. His heart was consumed by +the same flame as before. No longer, however, a prey to jealousy--no +longer apprehensive of the earl--he felt so happy, in comparison with +what he had been, that he almost prayed that the term of their +imprisonment might be prolonged. Sometimes the image of Nizza Macascree +would intrude upon him, and he thought, with a feeling akin to remorse, +of what she might suffer--for he was too well acquainted with the pangs +of unrequited love not to sympathise deeply with her. As to Amabel, she +addressed herself assiduously to the tasks enjoined by her father, and +allowed her mind to dwell as little as possible on the past, but +employed all her spare time in devotional exercises. + +It will be remembered that the grocer had reserved a communication with +the street, by means of a shutter opening from a small room in the upper +story. Hither he would now frequently repair, and though he did not as +yet think it necessary to have recourse to all the precautionary +measures he intended eventually to adopt--such as flashing a pistol when +he looked forth--yet he never opened the shutter without holding a phial +of vinegar, or a handkerchief wetted with the same liquid, to his face. + +Before closing his house he had hired a porter, who occupied the hutch +at his door, and held himself in readiness to execute any commission, or +perform any service that might be required. Fresh vegetables, poultry, +eggs, butter, and milk, were brought by a higgler from the country, and +raised by means of a basket or a can attached to the pulley. Butcher's +meat was fetched him from Newgate-market by the porter. This man, whose +name was Ralph Dallison, had been formerly in the employ of the grocer, +who, knowing his character, could place entire reliance on him. Dallison +reported the progress of the pestilence daily, and acquainted him with +the increasing amount of the bills of mortality. Several houses, he +said, were infected in Cheapside, and two in Wood-street, one of which +was but a short distance from the grocer's habitation. A watchman was +stationed at the door, and the red cross marked upon it, and on the +following night the grocer heard the sound of the doleful bell +announcing the approach of the pest-cart. + +The weather still continued as serene and beautiful as ever, but no +refreshing showers fell--no soft and healthful breezes blew--and it was +now found to be true, what had been prognosticated--viz, that with the +heats of summer the plague would fearfully increase. The grocer was not +incommoded in the same degree as his neighbours. By excluding the light +he excluded the heat, and the care which he took to have his house +washed down kept it cool. The middle of June had arrived, and such +dismal accounts were now brought him of the havoc occasioned by the +scourge, that he would no longer take in fresh provisions, but began to +open his stores. Dallison told him that the alarm was worse than +ever--that vast numbers were endeavouring to leave the city, but no one +could now do so without a certificate, which was never granted if the +slightest suspicion was attached to the party. + +"If things go on in this way," said the porter, "London will soon be +deserted. No business is conducted, as it used to be, and everybody is +viewed with distrust. The preachers, who ought to be the last to quit, +have left their churches, and the Lord's day is no longer observed. Many +medical men even have departed, declaring their services are no longer +of any avail. All public amusements are suspended, and the taverns are +only open to the profane and dissolute, who deride God's judgments, and +declare they have no fear. Robberies, murders, and other crimes, have +greatly increased, and the most dreadful deeds are now committed with +impunity. You have done wisely, sir, in protecting yourself against +them." + +"I have reason to be thankful that I have done so," replied Bloundel. +And he closed his shutter to meditate on what he had just heard. + +And there was abundant food for reflection. Around him lay a great and +populous city, hemmed in, as by a fire, by an exterminating plague, that +spared neither age, condition, nor sex. No man could tell what the end +of all this would be--neither at what point the wrath of the offended +Deity would stop--nor whether He would relent, till He had utterly +destroyed a people who so contemned his word. Scarcely daring to hope +for leniency, and filled with a dreadful foreboding of what would ensue, +the grocer addressed a long and fervent supplication to Heaven, +imploring a mitigation of its wrath. + +On joining his family, his grave manner and silence showed how +powerfully he had been affected. No one questioned him as to what had +occurred, but all understood he had received some distressing +intelligence. + +Amid his anxiety one circumstance gave him unalloyed satisfaction. This +was the change wrought in Amabel's character. It has been stated that +she had become extremely devout, and passed the whole of the time not +appointed for other occupations, in the study of the Scriptures, or in +prayer. Her manner was extremely sedate, and her conversation assumed a +tone that gave her parents, and especially her father, inexpressible +pleasure. Mrs. Bloundel would have been equally delighted with the +change, if it had tended to forward her own favourite scheme of a union +with Leonard; but as this was not the case, though she rejoiced in the +improvement, she still was not entirely satisfied. She could not help +noting also, that her daughter had become pale and thin, and though she +uttered no complaint, Mrs. Bloundel began to fear her health was +declining. Leonard Holt looked on in wonder and admiration, and if +possible his love increased, though his hopes diminished; for though +Amabel was kinder to him than before, her kindness seemed the result +rather of a sense of duty than regard. + +Upon one occasion they were left alone together, and instead of quitting +the room, as she had been accustomed, Amabel called to Leonard, who was +about to depart, and requested him to stay. The apprentice instantly +obeyed; the colour forsook his cheek, and his heart beat violently. + +"You desire to speak with me, Amabel," he said:--"Ha! you have +relented?--Is there any hope for me?" + +"Alas! no," she replied; "and it is on that very point I have now +detained you. You will, I am sure, rejoice to learn that I have at +length fully regained my peace of mind, and have become sensible of the +weakness of which I have been guilty--of the folly, worse than folly, I +have committed. My feelings are now under proper restraint, and viewing +myself with other eyes, I see how culpable I have been. Oh! Leonard, if +you knew the effort it has been to conquer the fatal passion that +consumed me, if I were to tell you of the pangs it has cost me, of the +tears I have shed, of the heart-quakes endured, you would pity me." + +"I do, indeed, pity you," replied Leonard, "for my own sufferings have +been equally severe. But I have not been as successful as you in +subduing them." + +"Because you have not pursued the right means, Leonard," she rejoined. +"Fix your thoughts on high; build your hopes of happiness on Heaven; +strengthen your faith; and you will soon find the victory easy. A short +time ago I thought only of worldly pleasures, and was ensnared by vanity +and admiration, enchained to one whom I knew to be worthless, and who +pursued me only to destroy me. Religion has preserved me from the snare, +and religion will restore you to happiness. But you must devote yourself +to Heaven, not lightly, but with your whole soul. You must forget +me--forget yourself--forget all but the grand object. And this is a +season of all others, when it is most needful to lead a life of piety, +to look upon yourself as dead to this world, and to be ever prepared for +that to come. I shudder to think what might have been my portion had I +perished in my sin." + +"Yours is a most happy frame of mind," returned Leonard, "and I would I +had a chance of attaining the same tranquillity. But if you have +conquered your love for the earl,--if your heart is disengaged, why deny +me a hope?" + +"My heart is _not_ disengaged, Leonard," she replied; "it is engrossed +by Heaven. While the plague is raging around us thus--while thousands +are daily carried off by that devouring scourge--and while every hour, +every moment, may be our last, our thoughts ought always to be fixed +above. I have ceased to love the earl, but I can never love another, and +therefore it would be unjust to you, to whom I owe so much, to hold out +hopes that never can be realized." + +"Alas! alas!" cried Leonard, unable to control his emotion. + +"Compose yourself, dear Leonard," she cried, greatly moved. "I would I +could comply with your wishes. But, alas! I cannot. I could only give +you," she added, in a tone so thrilling, that it froze the blood in his +veins--"a breaking, perhaps a broken heart!" + +"Gracious heaven!" exclaimed Leonard, becoming as pale as death; "is it +come to this?" + +"Again, I beg you to compose yourself," she rejoined, calmly--"and I +entreat you not to let what I have told you pass your lips. I would not +alarm my father, or my dear and anxious mother, on my account. And there +may be no reason for alarm. Promise me, therefore, you will be silent." + +Leonard reluctantly gave the required pledge. + +"I have unwittingly been the cause of much affliction to you," pursued +Amabel--"and would gladly see you happy, and there is one person, I +think, who would make you so--I mean Nizza Macascree. From what she said +to me when we were alone together in the vaults of Saint Faith's, I am +sure she is sincerely attached to you. Could you not requite her love?" + +"No," replied Leonard. "There is no change in affection like mine." + +"Pursue the course I have advised," replied Amabel, "and you will find +all your troubles vanish. Farewell! I depend upon your silence!" + +And she quitted the room, leaving Leonard in a state of indescribable +anxiety. + +Faithful, however, to his promise, he made no mention of his uneasiness +to the grocer or his wife, but indulged his grief in secret. Ignorant of +what was passing, Mr. Bloundel, who was still not without apprehension +of some further attempt on the part of the earl, sent Dallison to make +inquiries after him, and learnt that he was at Whitehall, but that the +court had fixed to remove to Hampton Court at the end of June. The +porter also informed him that the city was emptying fast--that the Lord +Mayor's residence was literally besieged with applications for bills of +health--that officers were stationed at the gates--and that, besides +these, barriers and turnpikes were erected on all the main roads, at +which the certificates were required to be exhibited--and that such +persons as escaped without them were driven back by the inhabitants of +the neighbouring villages, who refused to supply them with necessaries; +and as they could not return home, many had perished of want, or perhaps +of the pestilence, in the open fields. Horses and coaches, he added, +were not to be procured, except at exorbitant prices; and thousands had +departed on foot, locking up their houses, and leaving their effects +behind them. + +"In consequence of this," added Dallison, "several houses have been +broken open; and though the watch had been trebled, still they cannot be +in all places at once; and strong as the force is, it is not adequate to +the present emergency. Bands of robbers stalk the streets at night, +taking vehicles with them, built to resemble pest-carts, and beating off +the watch, they break open the houses, and carry off any goods they +please." + +This intelligence greatly alarmed the grocer, and he began to fear his +plans would be defeated in an unexpected manner. He engaged Dallison to +procure another trusty companion to take his place at night, and +furnished him with money to purchase arms. He no longer slept as +tranquilly as before, but frequently repaired to his place of +observation to see that the watchman was at his post, and that all was +secure. For the last few days, he had remarked with some uneasiness that +a youth frequently passed the house and gazed at the barred windows, and +he at first imagined he might be leagued with the nocturnal marauders he +had heard of; but the prepossessing appearance of the stripling, who +could not be more than sixteen, and who was singularly slightly made, +soon dispelled the idea. Still, as he constantly appeared at the same +spot, the grocer began to have a new apprehension, and to suspect he was +an emissary of the Earl of Rochester, and he sent Dallison to inquire +his business. The youth returned an evasive answer, and withdrew; but +the next day he was there again. On this occasion, Mr. Bloundel pointed +him out to Leonard Holt, and asked him if he had seen him before. The +youth's back being towards them, the apprentice unhesitatingly answered +in the negative, but as the subject of investigation turned the next +moment, and looked up, revealing features of feminine delicacy and +beauty, set off by long flowing jet-black ringlets, Leonard started, and +coloured. + +"I was mistaken," he said, "I _have_ seen him before." + +"Is he one of the Earl of Rochester's pages?" asked Mr. Bloundel. + +"No," replied Leonard, "and you need not be uneasy about him. I am sure +he intends no harm." + +Thus satisfied, the grocer thought no more about the matter. He then +arranged with Leonard that he should visit the window at certain hours +on alternate nights with himself, and appointed the following night as +that on which the apprentice's duties should commence. + +On the same night, however, an alarming incident occurred, which kept +the grocer and his apprentice for a long time on the watch. The family +had just retired to rest when the report of fire-arms was heard close to +the street door, and Mr. Bloundel hastily calling up Leonard, they +repaired to the room overlooking the street, and found that a desperate +struggle was going on below. The moon being overclouded, and the lantern +extinguished, it was too dark to discern the figures of the combatants, +and in a few seconds all became silent, except the groans of a wounded +man. Mr. Bloundel then called out to know what was the matter, and +ascertained from the sufferer, who proved to be his own watchman, that +the adjoining house, being infected, had been shut up by the +authorities; and its owner, unable to bear the restraint, had burst open +the door, shot the watchman stationed at it, and firing another pistol +at the poor wretch who was making the statement, because he endeavoured +to oppose his flight, had subsequently attacked him with his sword. It +was a great grief to Mr. Bloundel not to be able to aid the unfortunate +watchman, and he had almost determined to hazard a descent by the +pulley, when a musical voice was heard below, and the grocer soon +understood that the youth, about whom his curiosity had been excited, +was raising the sufferer, and endeavouring to stanch his wounds. Finding +this impossible, however, at Mr. Bloundel's request, he went in search +of assistance, and presently afterwards returned with a posse of men, +bearing halberds and lanterns, who carried off the wounded man, and +afterwards started in pursuit of the murderer. + +Mr. Bloundel then entered into conversation with the youth, who informed +him that his name was Flitcroft, that he was without a home, all his +relations having died of the plague, and that he was anxious to serve as +a watchman in place of the poor wretch who had just been removed. +Leonard remonstrated against this arrangement, but Mr. Bloundel was so +much pleased with Flitcroft's conduct that he would listen to no +objection. Accordingly provisions were lowered down in a basket to the +poor youth, and he stationed himself in the hutch. Nothing material +occurred during the day. Flitcroft resigned his post to Dallison, but +returned in the evening. + +At midnight, Leonard took his turn to watch. It was a bright moonlight +night, but though he occasionally looked out into the street, and +perceived Flitcroft below, he gave no intimation of his presence. All at +once, however, he was alarmed by a loud cry, and opening the shutter, +perceived the youth struggling with two persons, whom he recognised as +Sir Paul Parravicin and Pillichody. + +He shouted to them to release their captive, but they laughed at his +vociferations, and in spite of his resistance dragged the youth away. +Maddened at the sight, Leonard lowered the rope as quickly as he could +with the intention of descending by it. At this moment, Flitcroft turned +an agonized look behind him, and perceiving what had been done, broke +suddenly from his captors, and before he could be prevented, sprang into +the basket, and laid hold of the rope. Leonard, who had seen the +movement, and divined its object, drew up the pulley with the quickness +of thought; and so expeditiously was the whole accomplished, that ere +the knight and his companion reached the spot, Flitcroft was above their +heads, and the next moment was pulled through the window, and in safety +by the side of Leonard. + + + + +II. HOW FIRES WERE LIGHTED IN THE STREETS. + +Nizza Macascree, for it is useless to affect further mystery, as soon as +she could find utterance, murmured her thanks to the apprentice, whose +satisfaction at her deliverance was greatly diminished by his fears lest +his master should disapprove of what he had done. Seeing his uneasiness, +and guessing the cause, Nizza hastened to relieve it. + +"I reproach myself bitterly for having placed you in this situation!" +she said, "but I could not help it, and will free you from my presence +the moment I can do so with safety. When I bade you farewell, I meant it +to be for ever, and persuaded myself I could adhere to my resolution. +But I was deceived. You would pity me, were I to tell you the anguish I +endured. I could not accompany my poor father in his rambles; and if I +went forth at all, my steps involuntarily led me to Wood-street. At +last, I resolved to disguise myself, and borrowed this suit from a Jew +clothesman, who has a stall in Saint Paul's. Thus equipped, I paced +backwards and forwards before the house, in the hope of obtaining a +glimpse of you, and fortune has favoured me more than I expected, though +it has led to this unhappy result. Heaven only knows what will become of +me!" she added, bursting into tears. "Oh! that the pestilence would +select me as one of its victims. But, like your own sex, it shuns all +those who court it." + +"I can neither advise you," replied Leonard, in sombre tone, "nor help +you. Ah!" he exclaimed, as the sounds of violent blows were heard +against the door below--"your persecutors are trying to break into the +house." + +Rushing to the window, and gazing downwards, he perceived Sir Paul +Parravicin and Pillichody battering against the shop door, and +endeavouring to burst it open. It was, however, so stoutly barricaded, +that it resisted all their efforts. + +"What is to be done?" cried Leonard. "The noise will certainly alarm my +master, and you will be discovered." + +"Heed me not," rejoined Nizza, distractedly, "you shall not run any risk +on my account. Let me down the pulley. Deliver me to them. Anything is +better than that you should suffer by my indiscretion." + +"No, no," replied Leonard; "Mr. Bloundel shall know all. His love for +his own daughter will make him feel for you. But come what will, I will +not abandon you." + +As he spoke a timid knock was heard at the door, and a voice without +exclaimed, in accents of the utmost trepidation, "Are you there, +Leonard?--Robbers are breaking into the house. We shall all be +murdered." + +"Come in, Blaize," returned Leonard, opening the door and admitting the +porter--"you may be of some assistance to me." + +"In what way?" demanded Blaize. "Ah! who's this?" he added, perceiving +Nizza--"what is this page doing here?" + +"Do not concern yourself about him but attend to me," replied Leonard. +"I am about to drive away those persons from the door. You must lower me +down in the basket attached to the pulley." + +"And will you dare to engage them?" asked Blaize, peeping out at the +shutter. "They are armed. As I live, one is Major Pillichody, the rascal +who dared to make love to Patience. I have half a mind to go down with +you, and give him a sound drubbing." + +"You shall not encounter this danger for me," interposed Nizza, +endeavouring to stay Leonard, who, having thrust a sword into his +girdle, was about to pass through the window. + +"Do not hinder me," replied the apprentice, breaking from her. "Take +hold of the rope, Blaize, and mind it does not run down too quickly." + +With this, he got into the basket, and as the porter carefully obeyed +his instructions, he reached the ground in safety. On seeing him, +Pillichody bolted across the street, and flourishing his sword, and +uttering tremendous imprecations, held himself in readiness to beat an +immediate retreat. Not so Parravicin. Instantly assailing the +apprentice, he slightly wounded him in the arm. Seeing how matters +stood, and that victory was pretty certain to declare itself for his +patron, Pillichody returned, and, attacking the apprentice, by their +combined efforts, he was speedily disarmed. Pillichody would have passed +his sword through his body, but the knight stayed his hand. + +"The fool has placed himself in our power," he said, "and he shall pay +for his temerity; nevertheless, I will spare his life provided he assist +us to get into the house, or will deliver up Nizza Macascree." + +"I will do neither," replied Leonard, fiercely. + +Parravicin raised his sword, and was about to strike, when, at the +moment, the basket was again quickly lowered to the ground. It bore +Nizza Macascree, who, rushing between them, arrested the stroke. + +"Oh! why have you done this?" cried Leonard, in a tone of reproach. + +"I will tell you why," rejoined Parravicin, triumphantly; "because she +saw you were unable to defend her, and, like a true woman, surrendered +herself to the victor. Take care of him, Pillichody, while I secure the +girl. Spit him, if he attempts to stir." + +And twining his arms round Nizza, notwithstanding her shrieks and +resistance, he bore her away. Infuriated by the sight, Leonard Holt +threw himself upon Pillichody, and a desperate struggle took place +between them, which terminated this time successfully for the +apprentice. Wresting his long rapier from the bully, Leonard rushed +after Parravicin, and reached the end of Wood-street, just in time to +see him spring into a coach, and drive off with his prize. Speeding +after them along Blowbladder-street, and Middle-row, as Newgate-street +was then termed, the apprentice shouted to the coachman to stop, but no +attention being paid to his vociferations, and finding pursuit +unavailing, he came to a halt. He then more slowly retraced his steps, +and on arriving at the grocer's residence, found the basket drawn up. +Almost afraid to call out, he at length mustered courage enough to shout +to Blaize to lower it, and was answered by Mr. Bloundel, who, putting +his head through the window, demanded in a stern tone why he had left +the house? + +Leonard briefly explained. + +"I deeply regret your imprudence," replied his master; "because I can +now no more admit you. It is my fixed determination, as you well know, +not to suffer any member of my family who may quit my house, to enter it +again." + +"I shall not attempt to remonstrate with you, sir," replied Leonard. +"All I pray of you is to allow me to occupy this hutch, and to act as +your porter." + +"Willingly," rejoined Mr. Bloundel; "and as you have had the plague, you +will run no risk of infection. You shall know all that passes within +doors; and I only lament that you should have banished yourself from the +asylum which I hoped to afford you." + +After some further conversation between them, a bundle was lowered by +the grocer, containing a change of clothes and a couple of blankets. On +receiving these, Leonard retired to the hutch, and tying a handkerchief +round his wounded arm, wrapped himself in a night trail, and stretching +himself on the ground, in spite of his anxiety, soon sank asleep. He +awoke about four o'clock in the morning, with a painful consciousness of +what had taken place during the night. It was just beginning to grow +light, and he walked across the street to gaze at the house from which +he was exiled. Its melancholy, uninhabited look did not serve to cheer +him. It seemed totally altered since he knew it first. The sign, which +then invited the passers-by to enter the shop and deal with its honest +owner, now appeared no longer significant, unless--and it will be +remembered it was the Noah's Ark--it could be supposed to have reference +to those shut up within. The apprentice looked at the habitation with +misgiving, and, instead of regarding it as a sanctuary from the +pestilence, could not help picturing it as a living tomb. The last +conversation he had had with Amabel also arose forcibly to his +recollection, and the little likelihood there appeared of seeing her +again gave him acute agony. Oppressed by this painful idea, and unable +to exclude from his thoughts the unhappy situation of Nizza Macascree, +he bent his steps, scarcely knowing whither he was going, towards Saint +Paul's. + +Having passed so much of his time of late in the cathedral, Leonard +began to regard it as a sort of home, and it now appeared like a place +of refuge to him. Proceeding to the great western entrance, he seated +himself on one of the large blocks of stone left there by the masons +occupied in repairing the exterior of the fane. His eye rested upon the +mighty edifice before him, and the clear sparkling light revealed +numberless points of architectural grandeur and beauty which he had +never before noticed. The enormous buttresses and lofty pinnacles of the +central tower were tinged with the beams of the rising sun, and glowed +as if built of porphyry. While gazing at the summit of this tower, and +calling to mind the magnificent view he had recently witnessed from it +at the same hour, if a wish could have transported him thither at that +moment, he would have enjoyed it again. But as this could not be, he +tried to summon before his mental vision the whole glorious +prospect--the broad and shining river, with its moving or motionless +craft--the gardens, the noble mansions, the warehouses, and mighty +wharfs on its banks--London Bridge, with its enormous pile of +habitations--the old and picturesque city, with its innumerable towers, +and spires, and girdle of grey walls--the green fields and winding lanes +leading to the lovely hills around it--all these objects arose obedient +to his fancy, and came arrayed in colouring as fresh as that wherein +they had before appeared to him. While thus occupied, his gaze remained +riveted on the summit of the central tower, and he fancied he perceived +some one leaning over the balustrade; but as little beyond the upper +part of the figure could be discerned, and as it appeared perfectly +motionless, he could not be quite sure that his eyes did not deceive +him. Having gazed at the object for some minutes, during which it +maintained the same attitude, he continued his survey of the pile, and +became so excited by the sublime emotions inspired by the contemplation, +as to be insensible to aught else. + +After a while he arose, and was about to proceed towards the portico, +when, chancing to look at the top of the tower, he remarked that the +figure had disappeared, and while wondering who it could be, he +perceived a person emerge from one of the tall windows in the lower part +of the tower. It was Solomon Eagle, and he no longer wondered at what he +had seen. The enthusiast was without his brazier, but carried a long +stout staff. He ran along the pointed roof of the nave with +inconceivable swiftness, till, reaching the vast stone cross, upwards of +twelve feet in height, ornamenting the western extremity, he climbed its +base, and clasping the transverse bar of the sacred symbol of his faith +with his left arm, extended his staff with his right, and described a +circle, as if pointing out the walls of the city. He then raised his +staff towards heaven to invoke its vengeance, and anon pointed it +menacingly downwards. After this he broke into loud denunciations; but +though the apprentice could not hear the words, he gathered their +purport from his gestures. + +By this time a few masons had assembled, and producing their implements, +commenced working at the blocks of stone. Glancing at the enthusiast, +one of them observed with a smile to his companion, "There is Solomon +Eagle pronouncing his morning curse upon the city. I wonder whether the +judgments he utters against it will come to pass." + +"Assuredly, Phil Gatford," replied the other mason, gravely; "and I look +upon all the work we are now doing as labour thrown away. Was he not +right about the plague? Did he not foretell the devouring scourge by +which we are visited? And he will be right also about the fire. Since he +has doomed it, this cathedral will be consumed by flames, and one stone +will not be left standing on another." + +"It is strange, Ned Turgis," observed Gatford, "that, though Solomon +Eagle may always be seen at daybreak at the top of the tower or on the +roof of the cathedral--sometimes at one point and sometimes at +another--no one can tell where he hides himself at other times. He no +longer roams the streets at night, but you may remember when the +officers of justice were in search of him, to give evidence against +Mother Malmayns and Chowles, he was not to be found." + +"I remember it," replied Turgis; "but I have no doubt he was hidden in +some out-of-the-way corner of the cathedral--perhaps among the immense +wooden beams of the clerestory." + +"Or in some of the secret passages or cells contrived in the thickness +of the walls," rejoined the first speaker. "I say, Ned Turgis, if the +plague increases, as there is every likelihood it will, Solomon Eagle +will be the only preacher left in Saint Paul's. Neither deans, prebends, +minor-canons, nor vicars will attend. As it is, they have almost +abandoned it." + +"Shame on them!" exclaimed Leonard Holt, who, being much interested in +the conversation of the masons, had silently approached them. "At this +season, more than ever, they are bound to attend to their duty." + +"Why, so I think," rejoined Gatford; "but I suppose they consider +self-preservation their first duty. They aver that all assemblages, +whether called together for religious purposes or not, are dangerous, +and likely to extend the pestilence." + +"And yet crowds are permitted to assemble for purposes of amusement, if +not for worship, in those holy walls," returned Leonard. + +"Not so," replied Gatford. "Very few persons now come there, and none +for amusement. Paul's Walk is completely deserted. The shops and stalls +have been removed, and the pillars to which they were attached are +restored to their former appearance." + +"I am glad to hear it," rejoined Leonard. "I would far rather the sacred +edifice were altogether abandoned than be what it has been of late--a +den of thieves." + +"It was a stable and a magazine of arms in the time of the +Commonwealth," remarked Gatford. + +"And if Solomon Eagle's foreboding come to pass, it will be a heap of +ruins in our own time," rejoined Turgis. "But I see the prophet of ill +has quitted his post, and retired to his hiding-place." + +Looking up as this was said, Leonard saw that the enthusiast had +disappeared. At this moment the great door of the cathedral was thrown +open, and, quitting the masons, he ascended the broad steps under the +portico, and entered the fane, where he found that the information he +had received was correct, and that the stalls and other disfigurements +to the pillars had been removed. After pacing the solitary aisles for +some time, he made inquiries from the verger concerning Solomon Eagle. + +"I know nothing about him," replied the man, reluctantly. "I believe he +always appears at daybreak on some part of the roof, but I am as +ignorant as yourself where he hides himself. The door of the winding +staircase leading to the central tower is open. You can ascend it, and +search for him, if you think proper." + +Acting upon the suggestion, Leonard mounted to the belfry, and from +thence to the summit of the tower. Having indulged himself with a brief +survey of the glorious view around, he descended, and glanced into every +cell and chamber as he passed, in the hopes of meeting with the +enthusiast, but he was disappointed. At length, as he got about half-way +down, he felt his arm forcibly grasped, and, instantly conjecturing who +it was, offered no resistance. Without uttering a word, the person who +had seized him dragged him up a few steps, pushed aside a secret door, +which closed behind them with a hollow clangour, and leading him along a +dark narrow passage, opened another door, and they emerged upon the +roof. He then found that his suspicion was correct, and that his +mysterious guide was no other than Solomon Eagle. + +"I am glad to find you have recovered from the pestilence," said the +enthusiast, regarding him with a friendly glance; "it proves you are +favoured by Heaven. I saw you in the open space before the cathedral +this morning, and instantly recognised you. I was in the belfry when you +descended, but you did not perceive me, and I wished to be certain you +were alone before I discovered myself." + +"You have ceased to roam the streets at night, and rouse the slumbering +citizens to repentance?" asked Leonard. + +"For the present I have," returned Solomon Eagle. "But I shall appear +again when I am required. But you shall now learn why I have brought you +hither. Look along those streets," he added, pointing to the +thoroughfares opening in different directions. "What see you?" + +"I see men piling heaps of wood and coals at certain distances, as if +they were preparing bonfires," replied Leonard. "And yet it cannot be. +This is no season for rejoicing." + +"It has been supposed that the lighting of many thousand fires at once +will purify the air," replied Solomon Eagle; "and therefore the Lord +Mayor has given orders that heaps of fuel shall be placed before every +house in every street in the city, and that all these heaps shall be +kindled at a certain hour. But it will be of no avail. The weather is +now fine and settled, and the sky cloudless. But the offended Deity will +cause the heaviest rain to descend, and extinguish their fires. No--the +way to avert the pestilence is not by fire, but by prayer and penitence, +by humiliation and fasting. Let this sinful people put on sackcloth and +ashes. Let them beseech God, by constant prayer, to forgive them, and +they may prevail, but not otherwise." + +"And when are these fires to be lighted?" asked the apprentice. + +"To-night, at midnight," replied Solomon Eagle. + +He then took Leonard by the hand, and led him back the same way he had +brought him. On reaching the spiral staircase, he said, "If you desire +to behold a sight, such as a man has seldom witnessed, ascend to the +summit of this tower an hour after midnight, when all these fires are +lighted. A small door on the left of the northern entrance shall be left +open. It will conduct you to the back of the choir, and you must then +find your way hither as well as you can." + +Murmuring his thanks, Leonard hurried down the spiral staircase, and +quitting the cathedral, proceeded in the direction of Wood-street. +Preparations were everywhere making for carrying the Lord Mayor's orders +into effect; and such was the beneficial result anticipated, that a +general liveliness prevailed, on reaching his master's residence, he +found him at the shutter, curious to know what was going forward; and +having informed him, the grocer immediately threw him down money to +procure wood and coal. + +"I have but little faith in the experiment," he said, "but the Lord +Mayor's injunctions must be obeyed." + +With the help of Dallison, who had now arrived, Leonard Holt soon +procured a large heap of fuel, and placed it in the middle of the +street. The day was passed in executing other commissions for the +grocer, and he took his meals in the hutch with the porter. Time +appeared to pass with unusual slowness, and not he alone, but anxious +thousands, awaited the signal to kindle their fires. The night was +profoundly dark and sultry, and Leonard could not help thinking that the +enthusiast's prediction would be verified, and that rain would fall. But +these gloomy anticipations vanished as the hour of midnight was tolled +forth by the neighbouring clocks of Saint Michael's and Saint Alban's. +Scarcely had the strokes died away, when Leonard seized a light and set +fire to the pile. Ten thousand other piles were kindled at the same +moment, and in an instant the pitchy darkness was converted into light +as bright as that of noonday. + +Anxious to behold this prodigious illumination at its best, Leonard Holt +committed the replenishing of the pile and the custody of the house to +Dallison, and hastened to Saint Paul's. A great fire was burning at each +angle of the cathedral, but without pausing to notice the effect of the +flames upon the walls of the building, he passed through the door to +which he had been directed, and hastening to the spiral staircase beyond +the choir, ascended it with swift steps. He did not pause till he +reached the summit of the tower, and there, indeed, a wondrous spectacle +awaited him. The whole city seemed on fire, and girded with a flaming +belt--for piles were lighted at certain distances along the whole line +of walls. The groups of dark figures collected round the fires added to +their picturesque effect; and the course of every street could be traced +by the reflection of the flames on the walls and gables of the houses. +London Bridge was discernible from the fires burning upon it--and even +upon the river braziers were lighted on all the larger craft, which cast +a ruddy glow upon the stream. + +After gazing at this extraordinary sight for some time, Leonard began to +descend. As yet he had seen nothing of Solomon Eagle, and searching for +him in vain in the belfry, he quitted the cathedral. From a knot of +persons gathered round one of the fires he learnt that the enthusiast +was addressing the crowd at the west side of the building, and +proceeding thither he perceived him standing on the edge of the +balustrade of the south-western tower, surmounting the little church of +Saint Gregory. His brazier was placed on one of the buttresses, and +threw its light on the mighty central tower of the fabric, and on a +large clock-face immediately beneath. Solomon Eagle was evidently +denouncing the city, but his words were lost in the distance. As he +proceeded, a loud clap of thunder pealed overhead. + +"It comes--it comes!" cried the enthusiast, in a voice that could be +distinctly heard in the death-like stillness that followed the thunder. +"The wrath of Heaven is at hand." + +As he spoke, a bright flash cut the air, and a bolt struck down, one of +the pinnacles of the great tower. Flash after flash followed in quick +succession, and the enthusiast, who seemed wrapped in flame, extended +his arms towards Heaven, as if beseeching a further display of its +vengeance. Suddenly the lightning ceased to flash and the thunder to +roll. A few heavy drops of rain fell. These were succeeded by a deluging +shower of such violence, that in less than a quarter of an hour every +fire within the city was extinguished, and all was darkness and despair. + +The deepest gloom and despondency prevailed that night throughout +London. The sudden storm was regarded as a manifestation of the +displeasure of Heaven, and as an intimation that the arrows of its wrath +were not to be turned aside by any human efforts. So impressed were all +with this feeling, that when, in less than half an hour, the rain +entirely ceased, the clouds cleared off, and the stars again poured down +their lustre, no one attempted to relight the quenched embers, fearing +to provoke the Divine vengeance. Nor was a monitor wanting to enforce +the awful lesson. Solomon Eagle, with his brazier on his head, ran +through the streets, calling on the inhabitants to take to heart what +had happened, to repent, and prepare for their doom. + +"The Lord will not spare you," he cried, as he stationed himself in the +open space before St. Stephen's, Walbrook. "He will visit your sins upon +you. Pray, therefore, that ye may not be destroyed, both body and soul. +Little time is allowed you for repentance. Many that hear me shall not +live till tomorrow; few shall survive the year!" + +"Thou, thyself, shalt not survive the night, false prophet," cried a +voice from a neighbouring window. And immediately afterwards the barrel +of a gun was thrust forth and a shot fired at the enthusiast. But though +Solomon Eagle never altered his position, he was wholly uninjured--the +ball striking a bystander, who fell to the ground mortally wounded. + +"You have shot your own son, Mr. Westwood," cried one of the spectators, +rushing up to the fallen man. "Who will henceforth doubt that Solomon +Eagle is under the care of a special providence?" + +"Not I," replied another spectator. "I shall never disregard his words +in future." + +Setting down his brazier, the enthusiast bent over the dead man--for +dead he was--and noted the placid smile upon his features. By this time +the unfortunate father had joined the group, and, on seeing the body of +his son, wrung his hands in a pitiable manner, and gave utterance to the +wildest expression of despair. No one attempted to seize him, till at +length Solomon Eagle, rising from his kneeling posture, laid his hand +upon his arm, and regarding him sternly, said, "What wrong have I done +you, that you should seek to slay me?" + +"What wrong?" rejoined Westwood--"such wrong as can never be repaired. +Your fearful prophecies and denunciations so terrified my daughter, that +she died distracted. My brokenhearted wife was not long in following +her; and now you have made me the murderer of my son. Complete the +tragedy, and take my life." + +"I have no desire to do so," replied Solomon Eagle, in a tone of +commiseration. "My wish is to save your soul, and the souls of all who +listen to me. I wonder not that your anger was at first stirred against +me; but if your heart had been properly directed, indignation would have +soon given way to better feelings. My mission is not to terrify, but to +warn. Why will ye thus continue impenitent when ye are spoken to, not by +my voice alone, but by a thousand others?--by the thunder--by the +rain--by the pestilence!--and ye shall be spoken to, if ye continue +senseless, by fire and by famine. Look at these quenched embers--at +these flooded streets--they are types of your vain struggle with a +superior power. Now, mark me what you must do to free the city from +contagion. You must utterly and for ever abandon your evil courses. You +must pray incessantly for remission of your sins. You must resign +yourselves without repining to such chastisement as you have provoked, +and must put your whole trust and confidence in God. Do this, and do it +heartily; it is possible that His wrath may be averted." + +"I feel the force of your words," faltered Westwood--"would I had felt +it sooner!" + +"Repentance never comes too late," rejoined the enthusiast. "Let this be +an example to you all." + +And snatching up his brazier, he continued his course at the same +lightning speed as before. The unfortunate father was taken into his own +dwelling, whither likewise the body of his son was conveyed. A strict +watch was kept over him during the night, and in the morning he was +removed to Newgate, where he perished, in less than a week, of the +distemper. + +The aspect of the streets on the following day was deplorable enough. +Not that the weather was unfavourable. On the contrary, it was bright +and sunny, while the heated atmosphere, cooled, by the showers, felt no +longer oppressive. But the sight of the half-burnt fires struck a chill +into every bosom, and it was not until the heaps were removed, that the +more timorous ventured forth at all. The result, too, of the experiment +was singularly unfortunate. Whether it was from the extraordinary heat +occasioned by the lighting of so many fires, or that the smoke did not +ascend, and so kept down the pestilential effluvia, or that the number +of persons who met together spread the contagion, certain it was that +the pestilence was more widely extended than before, and the mortality +fearfully increased. + +On the commencement of the storm, Leonard Holt hurried back to +Wood-street, and reached his master's dwelling just as the rain began to +descend in torrents. Mr. Bloundel was at the window, and a few words +only passed between him and the apprentice when the latter was compelled +to take refuge in the hutch. Here he found Dallison the watchman, and +they listened in awe-struck silence to the heavy showers, and to the +hissing of the blazing embers in their struggle against the hostile +element. By-and-by the latter sound ceased. Not a light could be seen +throughout the whole length of the street, nor was there any red +reflection of the innumerable fires as heretofore in the sky. It was +evident all were extinguished; and the pitiless pelting of the rain, the +roar of the water-spouts, and the rush of the over-filled kennels, now +converted into rivulets, could alone be heard. After awhile the storm +cleared off, and Leonard and his companion issued from their retreat, +and gazed in silence at the drenched heap before them. While thus +occupied, the window above them opened, and the grocer appeared at it. + +"This is, indeed, a sad and striking lesson," he said, "and I hope will +not be lost upon those who have witnessed it. It shows the utter +impotency of a struggle against the Divine will, and that when a man +relies upon himself for preservation, he depends upon a broken reed. If +I did not place myself under Heaven's protection, I should be sure that +all my own precautions were unavailing. I am now about to call up my +family to prayer. You can join us in our supplications, and I trust they +will not be unheard." + +Closing the window, the grocer retired, and Leonard returned to the +hutch, where he fell upon his knees, and as soon as he supposed the +family were gathered together, commenced his own prayers. He pictured +the whole group assembled--the fervour of the grocer excited to an +unwonted pitch by what had just occurred--the earnest countenances of +his wife and the younger children--and the exalted looks of Amabel. He +could not see her--neither could he hear her voice--but he fancied how +she looked, and in what terms she prayed--and it was no slight +satisfaction to him to think that his own voice ascended to Heaven +coupled with hers. + +On quitting the hutch, he found Dallison conversing with Doctor Hodges. +The physician expressed great surprise at seeing him, and inquired how +he came to have left his master's house. Leonard related all that had +happened, and besought his assistance in Nizza's behalf. + +"I will do all I can for her," replied Hodges, "for I feel greatly +interested about her. But who is this Sir Paul Parravicin? I never heard +of him." + +"I know nothing more of him than what I have told you, sir," replied +Leonard. "He is a friend of the Earl of Rochester." + +"It must be a feigned name," rejoined Hodges; "but I will speedily find +him out. You must lodge at my house tonight. It will be better for you +than sleeping in that damp shed. But, first, I must have a word or two +with your master. I have been abroad all night, and came hither to +ascertain what he thought of this plan of the fires, and what he had +done. How do you give the signal to him?" + +"There is a cord within the hutch by which you can sound a bell within +his chamber," returned Leonard; "I will ring it." + +Accordingly, he did so, and the summons was almost instantly answered by +the grocer. A kindly greeting passed between the latter and Hodges, who +inquired whether all was going on satisfactorily within, and whether +anything could be done for the family. + +"I would not have disturbed you at this unseasonable hour," he said, +"but chancing to be in your neighbourhood, and thinking it likely you +would be on the watch, I called to have a word with you. Though I could +not foresee what would happen, I entirely disapproved of these fires as +likely to increase rather than check the pestilence." + +"The hand of Heaven has extinguished them because they were lighted in +opposition to its decrees," replied Bloundel; "but you have asked me +whether all is going on well within. I should answer readily in the +affirmative, but that my wife expresses much anxiety respecting Amabel. +We have no longer any apprehension of misconduct. She is all we could +desire--serious and devout. But we have fears for her health. The +confinement may be too much for her. What would you recommend?" + +"I must see her to be able to speak confidently," replied Hodges. + +"I know not how that can be accomplished, unless you choose to ascend by +a basket attached to the pulley," replied the grocer, with some +hesitation, "and it is against my plan to admit you." + +"But your daughter's life, my good friend," rejoined Hodges; "think of +that. If I choose to risk life and limb to visit her, you may surely +risk the chance of contagion to admit me. But you need have no fear. +Sprinkle your room with spirits of sulphur, and place a phial of vinegar +so that I can use it on my first entrance into the house, and I will +answer for the safety of your family." + +These preparations made, Mr. Bloundel lowered the basket, into which +Hodges got, and grasping the rope, not without some misgiving on his +part, he was drawn up. Leonard witnessed his ascent with a beating +heart, and could scarcely repress a feeling of envy when he saw him pass +through the window, and knew that he would soon be in the presence of +Amabel. But this feeling quickly changed into one of deep anxiety +concerning her. Her father's account of her had increased the uneasiness +he previously felt, and he was as anxious to know the doctor's opinion +of her, as if his own fate had depended upon it. He was kept in this +painful state of suspense for nearly an hour, when voices were heard at +the window, and presently afterwards Hodges was carefully let down. +Bidding the grocer farewell, he desired Leonard to follow him, and led +the way towards Cheapside. They proceeded a short distance in silence, +when the latter ventured to remark, "You say nothing about Amabel, sir? +I fear you found her seriously indisposed." + +"Do not question me about her just now," rejoined the doctor, in a +subdued emotion. "I would rather not discuss the subject." + +Nothing more was said; for though the apprentice would willingly have +continued the conversation, his companion's evident disinclination to +pursue it compelled him to desist. In this way, they reached the +doctor's residence, where Leonard was immediately shown to a comfortable +bed. + +It was late when he awoke next day, and as the doctor was gone forth, he +partook of a plentiful breakfast which was placed before him, and +repaired to Wood-street, but his master having no commissions for him to +execute, he went back again. By this time, Doctor Hodges had returned, +and calling him into his library told him he wished to speak with him. + +"You were right last night," he said, "in construing my silence into +alarm for Amabel. In truth, I fear she is rapidly sinking into a +decline, and nothing will arrest the progress of the insidious disease +but instant removal to the country. To this she will not consent, +neither do I know how it could be accomplished. It is pitiable to see so +lovely a creature dying, as I fear she is, of a broken heart." + +Leonard covered his face with his hands, and wept aloud. + +"We have not yet spoken of Nizza Macascree," said Hodges, after a pause, +tapping him kindly on the shoulder. "I think I have discovered a trace +of her." + +"I am glad to hear it," replied Leonard, rousing himself. "She is +another victim of these profligates. But I will be revenged upon them +all." + +"I have before enjoined you to restrain your indignation, just though it +be," returned Hodges. "I have not yet found out whither she has been +taken. But I have a clue which, unless I am mistaken, will lead me to +it. But I must now dismiss you, I have other affairs to attend to, and +must give a dangerous and difficult case, on which I have been +consulted, undisturbed consideration. Make my house your home as long as +you think proper." + +Warmly thanking the doctor, Leonard then withdrew. Shortly after this, +he walked forth, and ascertaining that he was not required by his +master, determined to satisfy himself by actual observation of the +extent of the ravages of the plague. + +With this view, he shaped his course along Lad-lane, and traversing +Cateaton-street, entered Lothbury. The number of houses which he here +found closed, with red crosses on the doors, and the fatal inscription +above them, convinced him that the deplorable accounts he had heard were +not exaggerated. In passing some of these habitations, he saw such +ghastly faces at the windows, and heard such lamentable cries, that he +was glad to hurry on and get out of sight and hearing. In +Throgmorton-street, nearly opposite Drapers' Hall, a poor wretch +suddenly opened a casement, and before his attendants could force him +back, threw himself from a great height to the ground, and broke his +neck. Another incident, of an equally distressing nature, occurred. A +young and richly-dressed young man issued from a tavern in Broad-street, +and with a wild and inflamed countenance, staggered along. He addressed +some insulting language to Leonard, but the latter, who desired no +quarrel, disregarded his remarks, and let him pass. The next person +encountered by the drunken man was a young female. Suddenly catching her +in his arms, he imprinted a kiss upon her lips: and then, with a +frightful laugh, shouted, "I have given you the plague! Look here!" and +tearing aside the collar of his shirt, he exhibited a large tumour. The +young woman uttered a shriek of terror and fainted, while her ruthless +assailant took to his heels, and running as long as his strength lasted, +fell down, and was taken to the pest-house, where he was joined that +same night by his victim. And this was by no means an uncommon +occurrence. The distemper acted differently on different temperaments. +Some it inflamed to an ungovernable pitch of madness, others it reduced +to the depths of despair, while in many cases it brought out and +aggravated the worst parts of the character. Wives conveyed the +infection intentionally to their husbands, husbands to their wives, +parents to their children, lovers to the objects of their affection, +while, as in the case above mentioned, many persons ran about like rabid +hounds, striving to communicate it to all they met. Greatly shocked at +what had occurred, and yet not altogether surprised at it, for his mind +had become familiarized with horrors, Leonard struck down Finch-lane, +and proceeded towards Cornhill. On the way, he noticed two dead bodies +lying at the mouth of a small alley, and hastening past, was stopped at +the entrance to Cornhill by a butcher's apprentice, who was wheeling away +the body of an old man, who had just died while purchasing meat at a +stall at Stock's Market. Filled with unutterable loathing at this +miserable spectacle, Leonard was fain to procure a glass of canary to +recruit his spirits. + +Accordingly he proceeded to the Globe Tavern at the corner of +Birchin-lane. As he entered the house, a lively strain of music caught +his ear, and glancing in the direction of the sound, he found it +proceeded from the blind piper, Mike Macascree, who was playing to some +half-dozen roystering youths. Bell lay at her master's feet; and as +Leonard approached the party, she pricked up her ears, and being called +by name, instantly sprang towards him, and manifested the strongest +delight. The piper stopped playing to listen to what was going forward +but the young men urged him to proceed, and again filled his glass. + +"Don't drink any more, Mike," said Leonard, "but step aside with me. +I've something to say to you--something about your daughter." + +"My daughter!" exclaimed the piper, in a half-angry, half-sorrowful +voice, while a slight moisture forced itself through his orbless lids. +"I don't want to hear anything about her, except that she is dead. She +has deserted me, and disgraced herself." + +"You are mistaken," rejoined Leonard; "and if you will come with me, I +will explain the truth to you." + +"I will listen to no explanation," rejoined the piper, furiously, "she +has given me pain enough already. I'm engaged with this jovial company. +Fill my glass, my masters--there, fill it again," he added, draining it +eagerly, and with the evident wish to drown all thought. "There, now you +shall have such a tune, as was never listened to by mortal ears." + +A loud laugh from the young men followed this proposition, and the piper +played away so furiously, that it added to their merriment. Touched with +compassion, Leonard walked aside, hoping, when the party broke up, to be +able to have a word with the poor man. But the piper's excitement +increased. He played faster and drank harder, until it was evident he +was no longer in a condition to speak rationally. Leonard, therefore, +addressed himself to the drawer, and desired him to look after the +piper, engaging to return before midnight to see how he went on. The +drawer promising compliance, Leonard departed; and not feeling disposed +to continue his walk, returned to Wood-street. + +Nothing particular occurred during the evening. Leonard did not see +Doctor Hodges, who was engaged in his professional duties; and after +keeping watch before the grocer's till nearly midnight, he again +retraced his steps to the Globe. The drawer was at the door, and about +to close the house. + +"You will be sorry to learn the fate of the poor piper," he said. + +"Why, what has happened to him?" cried Leonard. + +"He is dead of the plague," was the reply. + +"What, so suddenly!" exclaimed the apprentice. "You are jesting with +me." + +"Alas! it is no jest," rejoined the drawer, in a tone that convinced the +apprentice of his sincerity. "His entertainers quitted him about two +hours ago, and in spite of my efforts to detain him, he left the house, +and sat down on those steps. Concluding he would fall asleep, I did not +disturb him, and his dog kept careful watch over him. I forgot all about +him till a short time ago, when hearing the pest-cart pass, I went +forth, and learnt that the drivers having found him dead, as they +supposed, of the pestilence, had placed their forks under his belt, and +thrown him upon the other dead bodies." + +"And where is the dog?" cried Leonard. + +"She would not quit her master," replied the drawer, "so the men threw +her into the cart with him, saying, they would bury her in the +plague-pit, as all dogs were ordered to be destroyed." + +"This must be prevented," cried Leonard. "Which way did the dead-cart +go?" + +"Towards Moorgate," replied the drawer. + +Leonard heard no more; but dashing through a narrow passage opposite the +Conduit, passed Bartholomew-lane, and traversing Lothbury, soon reached +Coleman-street and the old city gate, to which he had been directed. +Here he learnt that the dead-cart had passed through it about five +minutes before, and he hurried on towards Finsbury Fields. He had not +proceeded far when he heard a sound as of a pipe at a distance, +furiously played, and accompanied by the barking of a dog. These sounds +were followed by cries of alarm, and he presently perceived two persons +running towards him, with a swiftness which only could be occasioned by +terror. One of them carried a lantern, and grasping his arm, the +apprentice detained him. + +"What is the matter?" he asked. + +"The devil's the matter," replied the man--"the piper's ghost has +appeared in that cart, and is playing his old tunes again." + +"Ay, it's either his spirit, or he is come to life again," observed the +other man, stopping likewise. "I tossed him into the cart myself, and +will swear he was dead enough then." + +"You have committed a dreadful mistake," cried Leonard. "You have tossed +a living man into the cart instead of a dead one. Do you not hear those +sounds?" And as he spoke, the notes of the pipe swelled to a louder +strain than ever. + +"I tell you it is the devil--or a ghost," replied the driver; "I will +stay here no longer." + +"Lend me your lantern, and I will go to the cart," rejoined Leonard. + +"Take it," replied the man; "but I caution you to stay where you are. +You may receive a shock you will never survive." + +Paying no attention to what was said, Leonard ran towards the cart, and +found the piper seated upon a pile of dead bodies, most of them stripped +of their covering, with Bell by his side, and playing away at a +prodigious rate. + + + + +III. THE DANCE OF DEATH. + +The condition of the prisons at this season was really frightful. In +Newgate, in particular, where the distemper broke out at the beginning +of June, it raged with such violence that in less than a week, more than +half the prisoners were swept off, and it appeared probable, that, +unless its fury abated, not a soul would be left alive within it. At all +times, this crowded and ill-kept prison was infested by the gaol-fever +and other pestilential disorders, but these were mild in comparison with +the present terrible visitation. The atmosphere was noisome and +malignant; the wards were never cleansed; and many poor wretches, who +died in their cells, were left there till the attendants on the +dead-cart chose to drag them forth. No restraint being placed upon the +sick, and the rules of the prison allowing them the free use of any +strong liquors they could purchase, the scenes that occurred were too +dreadful and revolting for description, and could only be paralleled by +the orgies of a pandemonium. Many reckless beings, conscious that they +were attacked by a fatal disorder, drank as long as they could raise +the' cup to their lips, and after committing the wildest and most +shocking extravagances, died in a state of frenzy. + +Newgate became thus, as it were, the very focus of infection, where the +plague assumed its worst aspect, and where its victims perished far more +expeditiously than elsewhere. Two of the turnkeys had already died of +the distemper, and such was the alarm entertained, that no persons could +be found to supply their places. To penetrate the recesses of the +prison, was almost to insure destruction, and none but the attendants of +the dead-cart and the nurses attempted it. Among the latter was Judith. +Employed as a nurse on the first outburst of the plague, she willingly +and fearlessly undertook the office. The worse the disease became the +better pleased she appeared; and she was so utterly without +apprehension, that when no one would approach the cell where some +wretched sufferer lay expiring, she unhesitatingly entered it. But it +was not to render aid, but to plunder, that she thus exercised her +functions. She administered no medicine, dressed no tumours, and did not +contribute in the slightest degree to the comfort of the miserable +wretches committed to her charge. All she desired was to obtain whatever +valuables they possessed, or to wring from them any secret that might +afterwards be turned to account. Foreseeing that Newgate must ere long +be depopulated, and having no fears for herself, she knew that she must +then be liberated, and be able once more to renew her mischievous +practices upon mankind. Her marvellous preservation throughout all the +dangers to which she was exposed seemed almost to warrant the +supposition that she had entered into a compact with the pestilence, to +extend its ravages by every means in her power, on the condition of +being spared herself. + +Soon after the outbreak of the plague in Newgate, all the debtors were +liberated, and if the keepers had had their own way, the common felons +would have been likewise released. But this could not be, and they were +kept to perish as before described. Matters, however, grew so serious, +that it became a question whether the few miserable wretches left alive +ought to be longer detained, and at last the turnkeys refusing to act +any longer, and delivering their keys to the governor, the whole of the +prisoners were set free. + +On the night of their liberation, Chowles and Judith proceeded to the +vaults of Saint Faith's, to deposit within them the plunder they had +obtained in the prison. They found them entirely deserted. Neither +verger, sexton, nor any other person, was to be seen, and they took up +their quarters in the crypt. Having brought a basket of provisions and a +few bottles of wine with them, they determined to pass the night in +revelry; and, accordingly, having lighted a fire with the fragments of +old coffins brought from the charnel, they sat down to their meal. +Having done full justice to it, and disposed of the first flask, they +were about to abandon themselves to unrestrained enjoyment, when their +glee was all at once interrupted by a strange and unaccountable noise in +the adjoining church. Chowles, who had just commenced chanting one of +his wild melodies, suddenly stopped, and Judith set down the glass she +had raised to her lips untested. What could it mean? Neither of them +could tell. It seemed like strains of unearthly music, mixed with +shrieks and groans as of tortured spirits, accompanied by peals of such +laughter as might be supposed to proceed, from demons. + +"The dead are burst forth from their tombs," cried Chowles, in a +quavering voice, "and are attended by a legion of evil spirits." + +"It would seem so," replied Judith, rising. "I should like to behold the +sight. Come with me." + +"Not for the world!" rejoined Chowles, shuddering, "and I would +recommend you to stay where you are. You may behold your dead husband +among them." + +"Do you think so?" rejoined Judith, halting. + +"I am sure of it," cried Chowles, eagerly. "Stay where you are--stay +where you are." + +As he spoke, there was another peal of infernal laughter, and the +strains of music grew louder each moment. + +"Come what may, I will see what it is," said Judith, emptying her glass, +as if seeking courage from the draught. "Surely," she added, in a +taunting tone, "you will come with me." + +"I am afraid of nothing earthly," rejoined Chowles--"but I do not like +to face beings of another world." + +"Then I will go alone," rejoined Judith. + +"Nay, that shall never be," replied Chowles, tottering after her. + +As they opened the door and crossed the charnel, such an extraordinary +combination of sounds burst upon their ears that they again paused, and +looked anxiously at each other. Chowles laid his hand on his companion's +arm, and strove to detain her, but she would not be stayed, and he was +forced to proceed. Setting down the lamp on the stone floor, Judith +passed into the subterranean church, where she beheld a sight that +almost petrified her. In the midst of the nave, which was illumined by a +blue glimmering light, whence proceeding it was impossible to determine, +stood a number of grotesque figures, apparelled in fantastic garbs, and +each attended by a skeleton. Some of the latter grisly shapes were +playing on tambours, others on psalteries, others on rebecs--every +instrument producing the strangest sound imaginable. Viewed through the +massive pillars, beneath that dark and ponderous roof, and by the mystic +light before described, this strange company had a supernatural +appearance, and neither Chowles nor Judith doubted for a moment that +they beheld before them a congregation of phantoms. An irresistible +feeling of curiosity prompted them to advance. On drawing nearer, they +found the assemblage comprehended all ranks of society. There was a pope +in his tiara and pontifical dress; a cardinal in his cap and robes; a +monarch with a sceptre in his hand, and arrayed in the habiliments of +royalty; a crowned queen; a bishop wearing his mitre, and carrying his +crosier; an abbot, likewise in his mitre, and bearing a crosier; a duke +in his robes of state; a grave canon of the church; a knight sheathed in +armour; a judge, an advocate, and a magistrate, all in their robes; a +mendicant friar and a nun; and the list was completed by a physician, an +astrologer, a miser, a merchant, a duchess, a pedler, a soldier, a +gamester, an idiot, a robber, a blind man, and a beggar--each +distinguishable by his apparel. + +By-and-by, with a wild and gibbering laugh that chilled the beholders' +blood, one of the tallest and grisliest of the skeletons sprang forward, +and beating his drum, the whole ghostly company formed, two and two, +into a line--a skeleton placing itself on the right of every mortal. In +this order, the fantastic procession marched between the pillars, the +unearthly music playing all the while, and disappeared at the further +extremity of the church. With the last of the group, the mysterious +light vanished, and Chowles and his companion were left in profound +darkness. + +"What can it mean?" cried Judith, as soon as she recovered her speech. +"Are they human, or spirits?" + +"Human beings don't generally amuse themselves in this way," returned +Chowles. "But hark!--I still hear the music.--They are above--in Saint +Paul's." + +"Then I will join them," said Judith. "I am resolved to see the end of +it." + +"Don't leave me behind," returned Chowles, following her. "I would +rather keep company with Beelzebub and all his imps than be alone." + +Both were too well acquainted with the way to need any light. Ascending +the broad stone steps, they presently emerged into the cathedral, which +they found illumined by the same glimmering light as the lower church, +and they perceived the ghostly assemblage gathered into an immense ring, +and dancing round the tall skeleton, who continued beating his drum, and +uttering a strange gibbering sound, which was echoed by the others. Each +moment the dancers increased the swiftness of their pace, until at last +it grew to a giddy whirl, and then, all at once, with a shriek of +laughter, the whole company fell to the ground. + +Chowles and Judith, then, for the first time, understood, from the +confusion that ensued, and the exclamations uttered, that they were no +spirits they had to deal with, but beings of the same mould as +themselves. Accordingly, they approached the party of masquers, for such +they proved, and found on inquiry that they were a party of young +gallants, who, headed by the Earl of Rochester--the representative of +the tall skeleton--had determined to realize the Dance of Death, as once +depicted on the walls of an ancient cloister at the north of the +cathedral, called Pardon-churchyard, on the walls of which, says Stowe, +were "artificially and richly painted the Dance of Macabre, or Dance of +Death, commonly called the Dance of Paul's, the like whereof was painted +about Saint Innocent's, at Paris. The metres, or poesy of this dance," +proceeds the same authority, "were translated out of French into English +by John Lydgate, monk of Bury, and, with the picture of Death leading +all estates, painted about the cloister, at the special request and +expense of Jenkin Carpenter, in the reign of Henry the Sixth." +Pardon-churchyard was pulled down by the Protector Somerset, in the +reign of Edward the Sixth, and the materials employed in the erection of +his own palace in the Strand. It was the discussion of these singular +paintings, and of the designs on the same subject ascribed to Holbein, +that led the Earl of Rochester and his companions to propose the +fantastic spectacle above described. With the disposition which this +reckless nobleman possessed to turn the most solemn and appalling +subjects to jest, he thought no season so fitting for such an +entertainment as the present--just as in our own time the lively +Parisians made the cholera, while raging in their city, the subject of a +carnival pastime. The exhibition witnessed by Chowles and Judith was a +rehearsal of the masque intended to be represented in the cathedral on +the following night. + +Again marshalling his band, the Earl of Rochester beat his drum, and +skipping before them, led the way towards the south door of the +cathedral, which was thrown open by an unseen hand, and the procession +glided through it like a troop of spectres. Chowles, whose appearance +was not unlike that of an animated skeleton, was seized with a strange +desire to join in what was going forward, and taking off his doublet, +and baring his bony arms and legs, he followed the others, dancing round +Judith in the same manner that the other skeletons danced round their +partners. + +On reaching the Convocation House, a door was opened, and the procession +entered the cloisters; and here Chowles, dragging Judith into the area +between him and the beautiful structure they surrounded, began a dance +of so extraordinary a character that the whole troop collected round to +witness it. Rochester beat his drum, and the other representatives of +mortality who were provided with musical instruments struck up a wild +kind of accompaniment, to which Chowles executed the most grotesque +flourishes. So wildly excited did he become, and such extravagances did +he commit, that even Judith stared aghast at him, and began to think his +wits were fled. Now he whirled round her--now sprang high into the +air--now twined his lean arms round her waist--now peeped over one +shoulder, now over the other--and at last griped her neck so forcibly, +that he might perhaps have strangled her, if she had not broken from +him, and dealt him a severe blow that brought him senseless to the +ground. On recovering, he found himself in the arched entrance of a +large octagonal chamber, lighted at each side by a lofty pointed window +filled with stained glass. Round this chamber ran a wide stone bench, +with a richly-carved back of the same material, on which the masquers +were seated, and opposite the entrance was a raised seat, ordinarily +allotted to the dean, but now occupied by the Earl of Rochester. A +circular oak table stood in the midst of the chamber, covered with +magnificent silver dishes, heaped with the choicest viands, which were +handed to the guests by the earl's servants, all of whom represented +skeletons, and it had a strange effect, to behold these ghastly objects +filling the cups of the revellers, bending obsequiously before some +blooming dame, or crowding round their spectral-looking lord. + +At first, Chowles was so confused, that he thought he must have awakened +in another world, but by degrees he called to mind what had occurred, +and ascertained from Judith that he was in the Convocation House. +Getting up, he joined the train of grisly attendants, and acquitted +himself so well that the earl engaged him as performer in the masque. He +was furthermore informed that, in all probability, the king himself, +with many of his favourite nobles, and the chief court beauties, would +be present to witness the spectacle. + +The banquet over, word was brought that chairs and coaches were without, +and the company departed, leaving behind only a few attendants, who +remained to put matters in order. + +While they were thus occupied, Judith, who had fixed her greedy eyes +upon the plate, observed, in an under-tone, to Chowles, "There will be +fine plunder for us. We must manage to carry off all that plate while +they are engaged in the masque." + +"You must do it yourself, then," returned Chowles, in the same +tone--"for I shall have to play a principal part in the entertainment, +and as the king himself will be present, I cannot give up such an +opportunity of distinguishing myself." + +"You can have no share in the prize, if you lend no assistance," replied +Judith, with a dissatisfied look. + +"Of course not," rejoined Chowles; "on this occasion it is all yours. +The Dance of Death is too much to my taste to be given up." + +Perceiving they were noticed, Chowles and Judith then left the +Convocation House, and returned to the vault in Saint Faith's, nor did +they emerge from it until late on the following day. + +Some rumour of the masque having gone abroad, towards evening a crowd, +chiefly composed of the most worthless order of society, collected under +the portico at the western entrance, and the great doors being opened by +Chowles, they entered the cathedral. Thus was this sacred building once +more invaded--once again a scene of noise, riot, and confusion--its +vaulted roofs instead of echoing the voice of prayer, or the choral +hymn, resounded with loud laughter, imprecations, and licentious +discourse. This disorder, however, was kept in some bounds by a strong +body of the royal guard, who soon afterwards arrived, and stationing +themselves in parties of three or four at each of the massive columns +flanking the aisles, maintained some show of decorum. Besides these, +there were others of the royal attendants, bearing torches, who walked +from place to place, and compelled all loiterers in dark corners to +proceed to the nave. + +A little before midnight, the great doors were again thrown open, and a +large troop of richly-attired personages, all wearing masks, were +admitted. For a short time they paced to and fro between its shafted +pillars gazing at the spectators grouped around, and evidently, from +their jests and laughter, not a little entertained by the scene. As the +clock struck twelve, however, all sounds were hushed, and the courtly +party stationed themselves on the steps leading to the choir. At the +same moment, also, the torches were extinguished, and the whole of the +building buried in profound darkness. Presently after, a sound was heard +of footsteps approaching the nave, but nothing could be discerned. +Expectation was kept on the rack for some minutes, during which many a +stifled cry was heard from those whose courage failed them at this +trying juncture. All at once, a blue light illumined the nave, and +partially revealed the lofty pillars by which it was surrounded. By this +light the whole of the ghostly company could be seen drawn up near the +western door. They were arranged two and two, a skeleton standing as +before on the right of each character. The procession next marched +slowly and silently towards the choir, and drew up at the foot of the +steps, to give the royal party an opportunity of examining them. After +pausing there for a few minutes, Rochester, in the dress of the larger +skeleton, started off, and, beating his drum, was followed by the pope +and his attendant skeleton. This couple having danced together for some +minutes, to the infinite diversion of the spectators, disappeared behind +a pillar, and were succeeded by the monarch and a second skeleton. +These, in their turn, gave way to the cardinal and his companion, and so +on till the whole of the masquers had exhibited themselves, when at a +signal from the earl the party re-appeared, and formed a ring round him. +The dance was executed with great spirit, and elicited tumultuous +applause from all the beholders. The earl now retired, and Chowles took +his place. He was clothed in an elastic dress painted of a leaden and +cadaverous colour, which fitted closely to his fleshless figure, and +defined all his angularities. He carried an hour-glass in one hand and a +dart in the other, and in the course of the dance kept continually +pointing the latter at those who moved around him. His feats of the +previous evening were nothing to his present achievements. His joints +creaked, and his eyes flamed like burning coals. As he continued, his +excitement increased. He bounded higher, and his countenance assumed so +hideous an expression, that those near him recoiled in terror, crying, +"Death himself had broke loose among them." The consternation soon +became general. The masquers fled in dismay, and scampered along the +aisles scarcely knowing whither they were going. Delighted with the +alarm he occasioned, Chowles chased a large party along the northern +aisle, and was pursuing them across the transept upon which it opened, +when he was arrested in his turn by another equally formidable figure, +who suddenly placed himself in his path. + +"Hold!" exclaimed Solomon Eagle--for it was the enthusiast--in a voice +of thunder, "it is time this scandalous exhibition should cease. Know +all ye who make a mockery of death, that his power will be speedily and +fearfully approved upon you. Thine not to escape the vengeance of the +Great Being whose temple you have profaned. And you, O king! who have +sanctioned these evil doings by your presence, and who by your own +dissolute life set a pernicious example to all your subjects, know that +your city shall be utterly laid waste, first by plague and then by fire. +Tremble! my warning is as terrible and true as the handwriting on the +wall." + +"Who art thou who holdest this language towards me?" demanded Charles. + +"I am called Solomon Eagle," replied the enthusiast, "and am charged +with a mission from on high to warn your doomed people of their fate. Be +warned yourself, sire! Your end will be sudden. You will be snatched +away in the midst of your guilty pleasure, and with little time for +repentance. Be warned, I say again." + +With this he turned to depart. + +"Secure the knave," cried Charles, angrily. "He shall be soundly +scourged for his insolence." + +But bursting through the guard, Solomon Eagle ran swiftly up the choir +and disappeared, nor could his pursuers discover any traces of him. + +"Strange!" exclaimed the king, when he was told of the enthusiast's +escape. "Let us go to supper. This masque has given me the vapours." + +"Pray Heaven it have not given us the plague," observed the fair +Stewart, who stood beside him, taking his arm. + +"It is to be hoped not," rejoined Charles; "but, odds fish! it is a most +dismal affair." + +"It is so, in more ways than one," replied Rochester, "for I have just +learnt that all my best plate has been carried off from the Convocation +House. I shall only be able to offer your majesty and your fair partner +a sorry supper." + + + + +IV. THE PLAGUE-PIT. + +On being made acquainted by Leonard, who helped him out of the +pest-cart, with the danger he had run, the piper uttered a cry of +terror, and swooned away. The buriers, seeing how matters stood, and +that their superstitious fears were altogether groundless, now returned, +and one of them, producing a phial of vinegar, sprinkled the fainting +man with it, and speedily brought him to himself. But though so far +recovered, his terror had by no means abated, and he declared his firm +conviction that he was infected by the pestilence. + +"I have been carried towards the plague-pit by mistake," he said. "I +shall soon be conveyed thither in right earnest, and not have the power +of frightening away my conductors on the road." + +"Pooh! pooh!" cried one of the buriers, jestingly. "I hope you will +often ride with us, and play us many a merry tune as you go. You shall +always be welcome to a seat in the cart." + +"Be of good cheer," added Leonard, "and all will be well. Come with me +to an apothecary's shop, and I will procure a cordial for you, which +shall speedily dispel your qualms." + +The piper shook his head, and replied, with a deep groan, that he was +certain all was over with him. + +"However, I will not reject your kindness," he added, "though I feel I +am past the help of medicine." + +"With this, he whistled to Bell, who was skipping about Leonard, having +recognised him on his first approach, and they proceeded towards the +second postern in London-wall, between Moorgate and Cripplegate; while +the buriers, laughing heartily at the adventure, took their way towards +the plague-pit, and discharged their dreadful load within it. Arrived in +Basinghall-street, and looking round, Leonard soon discovered by the +links at the door, as well as by the crowd collected before it--for day +and night the apothecaries' dwellings were besieged by the sick--the +shop of which he was in search. It was long before they could obtain +admittance, and during this time the piper said he felt himself getting +rapidly worse; but, imagining he was merely labouring under the effect +of fright, Leonard paid little attention to his complaints. The +apothecary, however, no sooner set eyes upon him, than he pronounced him +infected, and, on examination, it proved that the fatal tokens had +already appeared. + +"I knew it was so," cried the piper. "Take me to the pest-house--take me +to the pest-house!" + +"His desire had better be complied with," observed the apothecary. "He +is able to walk thither now, but I will not answer for his being able to +do so two hours hence. It is a bad case," he added in an under-tone to +Leonard. + +Feeing the apothecary, Leonard set out with the piper, and passing +through Cripplegate, they entered the open fields. Here they paused for +a moment, and the little dog ran round and round them, barking +gleefully. + +"Poor Bell!" cried the piper; "what will become of thee when I am gone?" + +"If you will entrust her to me, I will take care of her," replied +Leonard. + +"She is yours," rejoined the piper, in a voice hoarse with emotion. "Be +kind to her for my sake, and for the sake of her unfortunate mistress." + +"Since you have alluded to your daughter," returned Leonard, "I must +tell you what has become of her. I have not hitherto mentioned the +subject, fearing it might distress you." + +"Have no further consideration, but speak out," rejoined the piper. "Be +it what it may, I will bear it like a man." + +Leonard then briefly recounted all that had occurred, describing Nizza's +disguise as a page, and her forcible abduction by Parravicin. He was +frequently interrupted by the groans of his hearer, who at last gave +vent to his rage and anguish in words. + +"Heaven's direst curse upon her ravisher!" he cried. "May he endure +worse misery than I now endure. She is lost for ever." + +"She may yet be preserved," rejoined Leonard. "Doctor Hodges thinks he +has discovered her retreat, and I will not rest till I find her." + +"No--no, you will never find her," replied the piper, bitterly; "or if +you do, it will be only to bewail her ruin." + +His rage then gave way to such an access of grief, that, letting his +head fall on Leonard's shoulder, he wept aloud. + +"There is a secret connected with that poor girl," he said, at length, +controlling his emotion by a powerful effort, "which must now go to the +grave with me. The knowledge of it would only add to her distress." + +"You view the matter too unfavourably," replied Leonard; "and if the +secret is of any moment, I entreat you to confide it to me. If your +worst apprehensions should prove well founded, I promise you it shall +never be revealed to her." + +"On that condition only, I will confide it to you," replied the piper; +"but not now--not now--to-morrow morning, if I am alive." + +"It may be out of your power then," returned Leonard, "For your +daughter's sake, I urge you not to delay." + +"It is for her sake I am silent," rejoined the piper. "Come along--come +along," he added, hurrying forward. "Are we far from the pest-house? My +strength is failing me." + +On arriving at their destination, they were readily admitted to the +asylum; but a slight difficulty arose, which, however, was speedily +obviated. All the couches were filled, but on examining them it was +found that one of the sick persons had just been released from his +sufferings, and the body being removed, the piper was allowed to take +its place. Leonard remained by him for a short time, but, overpowered by +the pestilential effluvia, and the sight of so many miserable objects, +he was compelled to seek the open air. Returning, however, shortly +afterwards, he found the piper in a very perturbed state. On hearing +Leonard's voice he appeared greatly relieved, and, taking his gown from +beneath his pillow, gave it to him, and desired him to unrip a part of +the garment, in which it was evident something was sewn. The apprentice +complied, and a small packet dropped forth. + +"Take it," said the piper; "and if I die,--and Nizza should happily be +preserved from her ravisher, give it her. But not otherwise--not +otherwise. Implore her to forgive me--to pity me." + +"Forgive you--her father?" cried Leonard, in astonishment. + +"That packet will explain all," replied the piper in a troubled tone. +"You promised to take charge of poor Bell," he added, drawing forth the +little animal, who had crept to the foot of the bed, "here she is. +Farewell! my faithful friend," he added, pressing his rough lips to her +forehead, while she whined piteously, as if beseeching him to allow her +to remain; "farewell for ever." + +"Not for ever, I trust," replied Leonard, taking her gently from him. + +"And now you had better go," said the piper. "Return, if you can, +to-morrow." + +"I will,--I will," replied Leonard; and he hurried out of the room. + +He was followed to the door by the young chirurgeon--the same who had +accompanied Mr. Bloundel during his inspection of the pest-house,--and +he inquired of him if he thought the piper's case utterly hopeless. + +"Not utterly so," replied the young man. "I shall be able to speak more +positively in a few hours. At present, I think, with care and attention, +there _is_ a chance of his recovery." + +Much comforted by this assurance, Leonard departed, and afraid to put +Bell to the ground lest she should run back to her master, he continued +to carry her, and endeavoured to attach her to him by caresses and +endearments. The little animal showed her sense of his kindness by +licking his hands, but she still remained inconsolable, and ever and +anon struggled to get free. Making the best of his way to Wood-street, +he entered the hutch, and placing a little straw in one corner for Bell, +threw himself on a bench and dropped asleep. At six o'clock he was +awakened by the barking of the dog, and opening the door beheld +Dallison. The grocer was at the window above, and about to let down a +basket of provisions to them. To Leonard's eager inquiries after Amabel, +Mr. Bloundel replied by a melancholy shake of the head, and soon +afterwards withdrew. With a sad heart, the apprentice then broke his +fast,--not forgetting at the same time the wants of his little +companion,--and finding he was not required by his master, he proceeded +to Doctor Hodges' residence. He was fortunate enough to find the +friendly physician at home, and, after relating to him what had +occurred, committed the packet to his custody. + +"It will be safer in your keeping than mine," he said; "and if anything +should happen to me, you will, I am sure, observe the wishes of the poor +piper." + +"Rely upon it, I will," replied Hodges. "I am sorry to tell you I have +been misled as to the clue I fancied I had obtained to Nizza's retreat. +We are as far from the mark as ever." + +"Might not the real name of the villain who has assumed the name of Sir +Paul Parravicin be ascertained from the Earl of Rochester?" rejoined +Leonard. + +"So I thought," replied Hodges; "and I made the attempt yesterday, but +it failed. I was at Whitehall, and finding the earl in the king's +presence, suddenly asked him where I could find his friend Sir Paul +Parravicin. He looked surprised at the question, glanced significantly +at the monarch, and then carelessly answered that he knew no such +person." + +"A strange idea crosses me," cried Leonard. "Can it be the king who has +assumed this disguise?" + +"At one time I suspected as much," rejoined Hodges; "but setting aside +your description of the person, which does not tally with that of +Charles, I am satisfied from other circumstances it is not so. After +all, I should not wonder if poor Bell," smoothing her long silky ears as +she lay in the apprentice's arms, "should help us to discover her +mistress. And now," he added, "I shall go to Wood-street to inquire +after Amabel, and will then accompany you to the pest-house. From what +you tell me the young chirurgeon said of the piper, I do not despair of +his recovery." + +"Poor as his chance may appear, it is better, I fear, than Amabel's," +sighed the apprentice. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Hodges, in a sorrowful tone, "hers is slight indeed." + +And perceiving that the apprentice was greatly moved, he waited for a +moment till he had recovered himself, and then, motioning him to follow +him, they quitted the house together. + +On reaching Mr. Bloundel's habitation, Leonard pulled the cord in the +hutch, and the grocer appeared at the window. + +"My daughter has not left her bed this morning," he said, in answer to +the doctor's inquiries, "and I fear she is much worse. My wife is with +her. It would be a great satisfaction to me if you would see her again." + +After some little hesitation, Hodges assented, and was drawn up as +before. He returned in about half an hour, and his grave countenance +convinced Leonard that his worst anticipations were correct. He +therefore forbore to question him, and they walked towards Cripplegate +in silence. + +On emerging into the fields, Hodges observed to his companion, "It is +strange that I who daily witness such dreadful suffering should be +pained by the gradual and easy decline of Amabel. But so it is. Her case +touches me more than the worst I have seen of the plague." + +"I can easily account for the feeling," groaned Leonard. + +"I am happy to say I have prevailed on her, if she does not improve in a +short time,--and there is not the slightest chance of it,--to try the +effect of a removal to the country. Her father also consents to the +plan." + +"I am glad to hear it," replied Leonard. "But whither will she go, and +who will watch over her?" + +"That is not yet settled," rejoined Hodges. + +"Oh! that I might be permitted to undertake the office!" cried Leonard, +passionately. + +"Restrain yourself," said Hodges, in a tone of slight rebuke. "Fitting +attendance will be found, if needed." + +The conversation then dropped, and they walked briskly forward. They +were now within a short distance of the pest-house, and Leonard, hearing +footsteps behind him, turned and beheld a closed litter, borne by two +stout porters, and evidently containing a plague-patient. He stepped +aside to let it pass, when Bell, suddenly pricking her ears, uttered a +singular cry, and bursting from him, flew after the litter, leaping +against it and barking joyfully. The porters, who were proceeding at a +quick pace, tried to drive her away, but without effect, and she +continued her cries until they reached the gates of the pest-house. In +vain Leonard whistled to her, and called her back. She paid no attention +whatever to him. + +"I almost begin to fear," said Hodges, unable to repress a shudder, +"that the poor animal will, indeed, be the means of discovering for us +the object of our search." + +"I understand what you mean," rejoined Leonard, "and am of the same +opinion as yourself. Heaven grant we may be mistaken!" + +And as he spoke, he ran forward, and, followed by Hodges, reached the +pest-house just as the litter was taken into it. + +"Silence that accursed dog," cried one of the porters, "and bid a nurse +attend us. We have a patient for the women's ward." + +"Let me see her," cried Hodges. "I am a physician." + +"Readily, sir," replied the porter. "It is almost over with her, poor +soul! It would have saved time and trouble to take her to the plague-pit +at once. She cannot last many hours. Curse the dog! Will it never cease +howling?" + +Leonard here seized Bell, fearing she might do some mischief, and with a +sad foreboding beheld the man draw back the curtains of the litter. His +fears proved well founded. There, stretched upon the couch, with her +dark hair unbound, and flowing in wild disorder over her neck, lay Nizza +Macascree. The ghastly paleness of her face could not, however, entirely +rob it of its beauty, and her dark eyes were glazed and lustreless. At +the sight of her mistress, poor Bell uttered so piteous a cry, that +Leonard, moved by compassion, placed her on the pillow beside her, and +the sagacious animal did not attempt to approach nearer, but merely +licked her cheek. Roused by the touch, Nizza turned to see what was near +her, and recognising the animal, made a movement to strain her to her +bosom, but the pain she endured was so intense that she sank back with a +deep groan. + +"From whom did you receive this young woman?" demanded Hodges, of one of +the porters. + +"She was brought to us by two richly-attired lacqueys," replied the man, +"in this very litter. They paid us to carry her here without loss of +time." + +"You have an idea whose servants they were?" pursued Hodges. + +"Not the least," replied the fellow; "but I should judge, from the +richness of their dress, that they belonged to some nobleman." + +"Did they belong to the royal household?" inquired Leonard. + +"No, no," rejoined the man. "I am certain as to that." + +"The poor girl shall not remain here," observed Hodges, to the +apprentice. "You must convey her to my residence in Great +Knightrider-street," he added, to the porters. + +"We will convey her wherever you please," replied the men, "if we are +paid for our trouble." + +And they were about to close the curtains, when Nizza, having caught +sight of the apprentice, slightly raised herself, and cried, in a voice +of the utmost anxiety, "Is that you, Leonard?" + +"It is," he replied, approaching her. + +"Then I shall die happy, since I have seen you once more," she said. +"Oh, do not stay near me. You may catch the infection." + +"Nizza," said Leonard, disregarding the caution, and breathing the words +in her ear; "allay my fears by a word. You have not fallen a victim to +the villain who carried you away?" + +"I have not, Leonard," she replied, solemnly, "I resisted his +importunities, his threats, his violence, and would have slain myself +rather than have yielded to him. The plague, at length, came to my +rescue, and I have reason to be grateful to it; for it has not only +delivered me from him, but has brought me to you." + +"I must now impose silence upon you," interposed Hodges, laying his +finger on his lips; "further conversation will be hurtful." + +"One question more, and I have done," replied Nizza. "How came Bell with +you--and where is my father? Nothing has happened to him?" she +continued, observing Leonard's countenance change. "Speak! do not keep +me in suspense. Your silence fills me with apprehension. Speak, I +implore you. He is dead?" + +"No," replied Leonard, "he is not dead--but he is an inmate of this +place." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Nizza, falling back senseless upon the pillow. + +And in this state she was conveyed with the greatest expedition to the +doctor's residence. + +Leonard only tarried to visit the piper, whom he found slightly +delirious, and unable to hold any conversation with him, and promising +to return in the evening, he set out after the litter. Nizza was placed +in the best apartment of the doctor's house, and attended by an +experienced and trustworthy nurse. But Hodges positively refused to let +Leonard see her again, affirming that the excitement was too much for +her, and might militate against the chance of her recovery. + +"I am not without hopes of bringing her through," he said, "and though +it will be a severe struggle, yet, as she has youth and a good +constitution on her side, I do not despair. If she herself would second +me, I should be yet more confident." + +"How mean you?" inquired Leonard. + +"I think if she thought life worth a struggle--if, in short, she +believed you would return her attachment, she would rally," answered +Hodges. + +"I cannot consent to deceive her thus," rejoined Leonard, sadly. "My +heart is fixed elsewhere." + +"Your heart is fixed upon one who will soon be in her grave," replied +the doctor. + +"And with her my affections will be buried," rejoined Leonard, turning +away to hide his tears. + +So well was the doctor's solicitude rewarded, that three days after +Nizza had come under his care, he pronounced her out of danger. But the +violence of the attack left her so weak and exhausted, that he still +would not allow an interview to take place between her and Leonard. +During all this time Bell never left her side, and her presence was an +inexpressible comfort to her. The piper, too, was slowly recovering, and +Leonard, who daily visited him, was glad to learn from the young +chirurgeon that he would be able to leave the pest-house shortly. Having +ascertained from Leonard that his daughter was under the care of Doctor +Hodges, and likely to do well, the piper begged so earnestly that the +packet might not be delivered to her, that, after some consultation with +Hodges, Leonard restored it to him. He was delighted to get it back, +felt it carefully over to ascertain that the seals were unbroken, and +satisfied that all was safe, had it again sewn up in his gown, which he +placed under his pillow. + +"I would rather disclose the secret to her by word of mouth than in any +other way," he said. + +Leonard felt doubtful whether the secret would now be disclosed at all, +but he made no remark. + +Night was drawing on as he quitted the pest-house, and he determined to +take this opportunity of visiting the great plague-pit, which lay about +a quarter of a mile distant, in a line with the church of +All-Hallows-in-the-Wall, and he accordingly proceeded in that direction. +The pit which he was about to visit was about forty feet long, twenty +wide, and the like number deep. Into this tremendous chasm the dead were +promiscuously thrown, without regard to sex or condition, generally +stripped of their clothing, and covered with a slight layer of earth and +quick lime. + +The sun was setting as Leonard walked towards this dismal place, and he +thought he had never witnessed so magnificent a sight. Indeed, it was +remarked that at this fatal season the sunsets were unusually splendid. +The glorious orb sank slowly behind Saint Paul's, which formed a +prominent object in the view from the fields, and threw out its central +tower, its massive roof, and the two lesser towers flanking the portico, +into strong relief. Leonard gazed at the mighty fabric, which seemed +dilated to twice its size by this light, and wondered whether it was +possible that it could ever be destroyed, as predicted by Solomon Eagle. + +Long after the sun had set, the sky was stained with crimson, and the +grey walls of the city were tinged with rosy radiance. The heat was +intense, and Leonard, to cool himself, sat down in the thick grass--for, +though the crops were ready for the scythe, no mowers could be +found--and, gazing upwards, strove to mount in spirit from the tainted +earth towards heaven. After a while he arose, and proceeded towards the +plague-pit. The grass was trampled down near it, and there were marks of +frequent cart-wheels upon the sod. Great heaps of soil, thrown out of +the excavation, lay on either side. Holding a handkerchief steeped in +vinegar to his face, Leonard ventured to the brink of the pit. But even +this precaution could not counteract the horrible effluvia arising from +it. It was more than half filled with dead bodies; and through the +putrid and heaving mass many disjointed limbs and ghastly faces could be +discerned, the long hair of women and the tiny arms of children +appearing on the surface. It was a horrible sight--so horrible, that it +possessed a fascination peculiar to itself, and, in spite of his +loathing, Leonard lingered to gaze at it. Strange and fantastic thoughts +possessed him. He fancied that the legs and arms moved--that the eyes of +some of the corpses opened and glared at him--and that the whole rotting +mass was endowed with animation. So appalled was he by this idea that he +turned away, and at that moment beheld a vehicle approaching. It was the +dead-cart, charged with a heavy load to increase the already redundant +heap. + +The same inexplicable and irresistible feelings of curiosity that +induced Leonard to continue gazing upon the loathly objects in the pit, +now prompted him to stay and see what would ensue. Two persons were with +the cart, and one of them, to Leonard's infinite surprise and disgust, +proved to be Chowles. He had no time, however, for the expression of any +sentiment, for the cart halted at a little distance from him, when its +conductors, turning it round, backed it towards the edge of the pit. The +horse was then taken out, and Chowles calling to Leonard, the latter +involuntarily knelt down to guide its descent, while the other +assistant, who had proceeded to the further side of the chasm, threw the +light of a lantern full upon the grisly load, which was thus shot into +the gulf below. + +Shovelling a sufficient quantity of earth and lime into the pit to cover +the bodies, Chowles and his companion departed, leaving Leonard alone. +He continued there a few moments longer, and was about to follow them, +when a prolonged and piercing cry smote his ear; and, looking in the +direction of the sound, he perceived a figure running with great +swiftness towards the pit. As no pursuers appeared, Leonard could +scarcely doubt that this was one of the distracted persons he had heard +of, who, in the frenzy produced by the intolerable anguish of their +sores, would often rush to the plague-pit and bury themselves, and he +therefore resolved, if possible, to prevent the fatal attempt. +Accordingly, he placed himself in the way of the runner, and +endeavoured, with outstretched arms, to stop him. But the latter dashed +him aside with great violence, and hurrying to the brink of the pit, +uttered a fearful cry, and exclaiming, "She is here! she is here!--I +shall find her amongst them!"--flung himself into the abyss. + +As soon as he could shake off the horror inspired by this dreadful +action, Leonard ran to the pit, and, gazing into it, beheld him by the +imperfect light struggling in the horrible mass in which he was +partially immersed. The frenzied man had now, however, begun to repent +his rashness, and cried out for aid. But this Leonard found it +impossible to afford him; and, seeing he must speedily perish if left to +himself, he ran after the dead-cart, and overtaking it just as it +reached Moor-gate, informed Chowles what had happened, and begged him to +return. + +"There will be no use in helping him out," rejoined Chowles, in a tone +of indifference. "We shall have to take him back in a couple of hours. +No, no--let him remain where he is. There is scarcely a night that some +crazy being does not destroy himself in the same way. We never concern +ourselves about such persons except to strip them of their apparel." + +"Unfeeling wretch!" cried Leonard, unable to restrain his indignation. +"Give me your fork, and I will pull him out myself." + +Instead of surrendering the implement, Chowles flourished it over his +head with the intention of striking the apprentice, but the latter +nimbly avoided the blow, and snatching it from his grasp, ran back to +the plague-pit. He was followed by Chowles and the burier, who +threatened him with loud oaths. Regardless of their menaces, Leonard +fixed the hook in the dress of the struggling man, and exerting all his +strength, drew him out of the abyss. He had just lodged him in safety on +the brink when Chowles and his companion came up. + +"Keep off!" cried Leonard, brandishing his fork as he spoke; "you shall +neither commit robbery nor murder here. If you will assist this +unfortunate gentleman, I have no doubt you will be well rewarded. If +not, get hence, or advance at your peril." + +"Well," returned Chowles, who began to fancy something might be made of +the matter, "if you think we should be rewarded, we would convey the +gentleman back to his own home provided we can ascertain where it is. +But I am afraid he may die on the way." + +"In that case you can apply to his friends," rejoined Leonard. "He must +not be abandoned thus." + +"First, let us know who he is," returned Chowles. "Is he able to speak?" + +"I know not," answered Leonard. "Bring the lantern this way, and let us +examine his countenance." + +Chowles complied, and held the light over the unfortunate person. His +attire was rich, but in great disorder, and sullied by the loathsome +mass in which he had been plunged. He was in the flower of youth, and +his features must have been remarkable for their grace and beauty, but +they were now of a livid hue, and swollen and distorted by pain. Still +Leonard recognised them. + +"Gracious Heaven!" he exclaimed. "It is Sir Paul Parravicin." + +"Sir Paul Parravicin!" echoed Chowles. "By all that's wonderful, so it +is! Here is a lucky chance! Bring the dead-cart hither, Jonas--quick, +quick! I shall put him under the care of Judith Malmayns." + +And the burier hurried off as fast as his legs could carry him. + +"Had I known who it was," exclaimed Leonard, gazing with abhorrence at +the miserable object before him, "I would have left him to die the death +he so richly merits!" + +A deep groan broke from the sufferer. + +"Have no fear, Sir Paul," said Chowles. "You are in good hands. Every +care shall be taken of you, and you shall be cured by Judith Malmayns." + +"She shall not come near me," rejoined Parravicin, faintly. "You will +take care of me?" he added in an imploring tone, to Leonard. + +"You appeal in vain to me," rejoined the apprentice, sternly. "You are +justly punished for your treatment of Nizza Macascree." + +"I am--I am," groaned Parravicin, "but she will be speedily avenged. I +shall soon join her in that pit." + +"She is not there," replied Leonard, bitterly, "She is fast recovering +from the plague." + +"Is she not dead?" demanded Parravicin, with frightful eagerness. "I was +told she was thrown into that horrible chasm." + +"You were deceived," replied Leonard. "She was taken to the pest-house +by your orders, and would have perished if she had not found a friend to +aid her. She is now out of danger." + +"Then I no longer desire to die," cried Parravicin, desperately. "I will +live--live." + +"Do not delude yourself," replied Leonard, coldly; "you have little +chance of recovery, and should employ the short time left you in praying +to Heaven for forgiveness of your sins." + +"Tush!" exclaimed Parravicin, fiercely, "I shall not weary Heaven with +ineffectual supplications. I well know I am past all forgiveness. No," +he added, with a fearful imprecation, "since Nizza is alive, I will not +die." + +"Right, Sir Paul, right," rejoined Chowles; "put a bold face on it, and +I will answer for it you will get over the attack. Have no fear of +Judith Malmayns," he added, in a significant tone. "However she may +treat others, she will cure _you_." + +"I will make it worth her while to do so," rejoined Parravicin. + +"Here is the cart," cried Chowles, seeing the vehicle approach. "I will +take you in the first place to Saint Paul's. Judith must see you as soon +as possible." + +"Take me where you please," rejoined Parravicin, faintly; "and remember +what I have said. If I die, the nurse will get nothing--if I am cured, +she shall be proportionately rewarded." + +"I will not forget it," replied Chowles. And with the help of Jonas he +placed the knight carefully in the cart. "You need not trouble yourself +further about him," he added to Leonard. + +"Before he quits this place I must know who he is," rejoined the latter, +placing himself at the horse's head. + +"You know his name as well as I do," replied Chowles. + +"Parravicin is not his real name," rejoined Leonard. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Chowles, "this is news to me. But no matter who he +is, he is rich enough to pay well. So stand aside, and let us go. We +have no time to waste in further parleying." + +"I will not move till my question is answered," replied Leonard. + +"We will see to that," said Jonas, approaching him behind, and dealing +him so severe a blow on the head that he stretched him senseless on the +ground? "Shall we throw him into the pit?" he added to Chowles. + +The latter hesitated for a moment, and then said, "No, no, it is not +worth while. It may bring us into trouble. We have no time to lose." And +they then put the cart in motion, and took the way to Saint Paul's. + +On coming to himself, Leonard had some difficulty in recalling what had +happened; and when the whole train of circumstances rushed upon his +mind, he congratulated himself that he had escaped further injury. "When +I think of the hands I have been placed in," he murmured, "I cannot but +be grateful that they did not throw me into the pit, where no discovery +could have been made as to how I came to an end. But I will not rest +till I have ascertained the name and rank of Nizza's persecutor. I have +no doubt they have taken him to Saint Paul's, and will proceed thither +at once." + +With this view, he hastened towards the nearest city gate, and passing +towards it, shaped his course towards the cathedral. It was a fine +starlight night, and though there was no moon, the myriad lustres +glowing in the deep and cloudless vault rendered every object plainly +distinguishable. At this hour, little restraint was placed upon the +sick, and they wandered about the streets uttering dismal cries. Some +would fling themselves upon bulks or steps, where they were not +unfrequently found the next morning bereft of life. Most of those not +attacked by the distemper kept close house; but there were some few +reckless beings who passed the night in the wildest revelry, braving the +fate awaiting them. As Leonard passed Saint Michael's church, in +Basinghall-street, he perceived, to his great surprise, that it was +lighted up, and at first supposed some service was going on within it, +but on approaching he heard strains of lively and most irreverent music +issuing from within. Pushing open the door, he entered the sacred +edifice, and found it occupied by a party of twenty young men, +accompanied by a like number of females, some of whom were playing at +dice and cards, some drinking, others singing Bacchanalian melodies, +others dancing along the aisles to the notes of a theorbo and spinet. +Leonard was so inexpressibly shocked by what he beheld, that unable to +contain himself he mounted the steps of the pulpit, and called to them +in a loud voice to desist from their scandalous conduct, and no longer +profane the house of God. But they treated his remonstrances with +laughter and derision, and some of the party forming themselves into a +group round the pulpit, entreated him to preach to them. + +"We want a little variety," said one of the group, a good-looking young +man, upon whom the wine had evidently made some impression--"we are +tired of drinking and play, and may as well listen to a sermon, +especially an original one. Hold forth to us, I say." + +"I would, hold forth till daybreak, if I thought it would produce any +impression," returned Leonard. "But I perceive you are too hardened to +be aroused to repentance." + +"Repentance!" cried another of the assemblage. "Do you know whom you +address? These gentlemen are the Brotherhood of Saint Michael, and I am +the principal. We are determined to enjoy the few days or hours we may +have left--that is all. We are not afraid of the future, and are +resolved to make the most of the present." + +"Ay, ay," cried the others, with a great shout of laughter, which, +however, was interrupted by a cry of anguish from one of the party. + +"There is another person seized," said the principal; "take him away, +brothers. This is owing to listening to a sermon. Let us return to our +wine." + +"Will you not accept this awful warning?" cried Leonard. "You will all +share your companion's fate." + +"We anticipate nothing else," returned the principal; "and are therefore +resolved to banish reflection. A week ago, the Brotherhood of Saint +Michael consisted of forty persons. We are already diminished to half +the number, but are not the less merry on that account. On the contrary, +we are more jovial than ever. We have agreed that whoever shall be +seized with the distemper, shall be instantly conveyed to the +pest-house, so that the hilarity of the others shall not be interrupted. +The poor fellow who has just been attacked has left behind him a +beautiful mistress. She is yours if you choose to join us." + +"Ay, stop with us," cried a young and very pretty woman, taking his hand +and drawing him towards the company who were dancing beneath the aisles. + +But Leonard disengaged himself, and hurried away amid the laughter and +hootings of the assemblage. The streets, despite their desolate +appearance, were preferable to the spot he had just quitted, and he +seemed to breathe more freely when he got to a little distance from the +polluted fane. He had now entered Wood-street, but all was as still as +death, and he paused to gaze up at his master's window, but there was no +one at it. Many a lover, unable to behold the object of his affections, +has in some measure satisfied the yearning of his heart by gazing at her +dwelling, and feeling he was near her. Many a sad heart has been cheered +by beholding a light at a window, or a shadow on its closed curtains, +and such would have been Leonard's feelings if he had not been depressed +by the thought of Amabel's precarious state of health. + +While thus wrapt in mournful thought, he observed three figures slowly +approaching from the further end of the street, and he instinctively +withdrew into a doorway. He had reason to congratulate himself upon the +precaution, as, when the party drew nearer, he recognised, with a pang +that shot to his heart, the voice of Rochester. A moment's observation +from his place of concealment showed him that the earl was accompanied +by Sir George Etherege and Pillichody. They paused within a short +distance of him, and he could distinctly hear their conversation. + +"You have not yet told us why you brought us here my lord," said +Etherege to Rochester, after the latter had gazed for a few moments in +silence at the house. "Are you resolved to make another attempt to carry +off the girl--and failing in it, to give her up for ever!" + +"You have guessed my purpose precisely," returned Rochester. "Doctor +Hodges has informed a friend of mine that the pretty Amabel has fallen +into a decline. The poor soul is, doubtless, pining for me; and it would +be the height of inhumanity to let her perish." + +Leonard ground his teeth-with suppressed rage. + +"Then you mean to make her Countess of Rochester, after all," laughed +Etherege. "I thought you had determined to carry off Mistress Mallett." + +"Old Bowley declares he will send me to the Tower if I do," replied +Rochester; "and though his threats would scarcely deter me from acting +as I think proper, I have no inclination for marriage at present. What a +pity, Etherege, that one cannot in these affairs have the money oneself, +and give the wife to one's friend." + +"That is easily accomplished," replied Etherege, laughingly; "especially +where you have a friend so devoted as myself. But do you mean to carry +off Amabel to-night?" + +"Ay, now we come to business," interposed Pillichody. "Bolts and +barricadoes! your lordship has only to say the word, and I will break +into the house, and bear her off for you." + +"Your former conduct is a good guarantee for your present success, +truly," returned Rochester, with a sneer. "No, no; I shall postpone my +design for the present. I have ascertained, from the source whence I +obtained information of Amabel's illness, that she is to be removed into +the country. This will exactly suit my purpose, and put her completely +in my power." + +"Then nothing is to be done to-night?" said Pillichody, secretly +congratulating himself on his escape. "By my sword! I feel equal to the +most desperate attempt." + +"Your courage and dexterity must be reserved for some more favourable +occasion," replied Rochester. + +"If not to carry off the girl, I must again inquire why your lordship +has come hither?" demanded Etherege. + +"To be frank with you, my sole motive was to gaze at the house that +contains her," replied Rochester, in a voice that bespoke his sincerity. +"I have before told you that she has a strong hold upon my heart. I have +not seen her for some weeks, and during that time have endeavoured to +obliterate her image by making love to a dozen others. But it will not +do. She still continues absolute mistress of my affections. I sometimes +think, if I can obtain her in no other way, I shall be rash enough to +marry her." + +"Pshaw! this must never be," said Etherege. + +"Were I to lose her altogether, I should be inconsolable," cried +Rochester. + +"As inconsolable as I am for the rich widow of Watling-street, who died +a fortnight ago of the plague, and left her wealth to her footman," +replied Pillichody, drawing forth his handkerchief and applying it to +his eyes--"oh! oh!" + +"Silence, fool!" cried Rochester: "I am in no mood for buffoonery. If +you shed tears for any one, it should be for your master." + +"Truly, I am grieved for him," replied Pillichody; "but I object to the +term 'master.' Sir Paul Parravicin, as he chooses to be called, is my +patron, not my master. He permits me a very close familiarity, not to +say friendship." + +"Well, then, your patron," rejoined Rochester, scornfully. "How is he +going on to-night?" + +"I feared to tell your lordship," replied Pillichody, "lest it should +spoil your mirth; but he broke out of his chamber a few hours ago, and +has not been discovered since. Most likely, he will be found in the +plague-pit or the Thames in the morning, for he was in such an +infuriated state, that it is the opinion of his attendants he would +certainly destroy himself. You know he was attacked two days after Nizza +Macascree was seized by the pestilence, and his brain has been running +upon the poor girl ever since." + +"Alas!" exclaimed Rochester, "it is a sad end. I am wearied of this +infected city, and shall be heartily glad to quit it. A few months in +the country with Amabel will be enchanting." + +"_Apropos_ of melancholy subjects," said Etherege, "your masque of the +Dance of Death has caused great consternation at court. Mistress Stewart +declares she cannot get that strange fellow who performed such fantastic +tricks in the skeleton-dance out of her head." + +"You mean Chowles," replied the earl. "He is a singular being, +certainly--once a coffin-maker, and now, I believe, a burier of the +dead. He takes up his abode in a crypt of Saint Faith's and leads an +incomprehensible life. As we return we shall pass the cathedral, and can +see whether he is astir." + +"Readily," replied Etherege. "Do you desire to tarry here longer, or +shall we proceed before you, while you indulge your tender meditations +undisturbed?" + +"Leave me," replied Rochester; "I shall be glad to be alone for a few +moments." + +Etherege and Pillichody then proceeded slowly towards Cheapside, while +the earl remained with his arms folded upon his breast, and his gaze +fixed upon the house. Leonard watched him with intense curiosity, and +had great difficulty in controlling himself. Though the earl was armed, +while he had only his staff, he could have easily mastered him by +assailing him unawares. But Leonard's generous nature revolted at the +unworthy suggestion, and he resolved, if he attacked him at all, to give +him time to stand upon his guard. A moment's reflection, however, +satisfied him that his wisest course would be to remain concealed. He +was now in possession of the earl's plan, and, with the help of Doctor +Hodges, could easily defeat it; whereas if he appeared, it would be +evident that he had overheard what had passed, and some other scheme, to +which he could not be privy, would be necessarily adopted. Influenced by +this consideration, he suffered the earl to depart unmolested, and when +he had got to some distance followed him. Rochester's companions were +waiting for him in Cheapside, and, joining them, they all three +proceeded towards the cathedral. They entered the great northern door; +and Leonard, who was now well acquainted with all the approaches, passed +through the door at the north side of the choir, to which he had been +directed on a former occasion by Solomon Eagle. He found the party +guided by the old verger--the only one of its former keepers who still +lingered about the place--and preparing to descend to Saint Faith's. +Leonard followed as near as he could without exposing himself, and, on +gaining the subterranean church, easily contrived to screen himself +behind the ponderous ranks of pillars. + +By this time they had reached the door of the charnel It was closed; but +Rochester knocked against it, and Chowles presently appeared. He seemed +greatly surprised at seeing the earl, nor was the latter less astonished +when he learnt that Parravicin was within the vault. He desired to be +shown to his friend, and Chowles ushered him into the crypt. Leonard +would have followed them; but as Etherege and the others declined +entering the charnel, and remained at the door, he could not do so. + +Shortly after this the sick man was brought out, stretched upon a +pallet, borne by Chowles and Judith; and the party proceeded slowly, and +occasionally relieving each other, to the great western entrance, where +a coach being procured by Pillichody, Parravicin was placed within it, +with Judith and Chowles; and orders being given in an under-tone to the +driver, he departed. The others then proceeded towards Ludgate, while +Leonard, again disappointed, retraced his steps to Wood-street. + +* * * * * + + + + +V. HOW SAINT PATHOS WAS USED AS A PEST-HOUSE. + +The distemper had by this time increased to such a frightful extent, +that the pest-houses being found wholly inadequate to contain the number +of sick persons sent to them, it was resolved by the civic authorities, +who had obtained the sanction of the Dean and Chapter of Saint Paul's +for that purpose, to convert the cathedral into a receptacle for the +infected. Accordingly, a meeting was held in the Convocation House to +make final arrangements. It was attended by Sir John Lawrence, the Lord +Mayor; by Sir George Waterman, and Sir Charles Doe, sheriffs; by Doctor +Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury; by the Duke of Albemarle, the Earl of +Craven, and, a few other zealous and humane persons. Several members of +the College of Physicians were likewise present, and, amongst others, +Doctor Hodges; and the expediency of the measure being fully agreed +upon, it was determined to carry it into immediate execution. + +The cloisters surrounding the Convocation House were crowded with sick +persons, drawn thither by the rumour of what was going forward; and when +the meeting adjourned to the cathedral, these unfortunate beings +followed them, and were with some difficulty kept aloof from the +uninfected by the attendants. A very earnest and touching address was +next pronounced by the archbishop. Calling upon his hearers to look upon +themselves as already dead to the world,--to regard the present +visitation as a just punishment of their sins, and to rejoice that their +sufferings would be so soon terminated, when, if they sincerely and +heartily repented, they would at once be transported from the depths of +wretchedness and misery to regions of unfading bliss; he concluded by +stating that he, and all those around him, were prepared to devote +themselves, without regard to their own safety, to the preservation of +their fellow-citizens, and that they would leave nothing undone to stop +the ravages of the devouring scourge. + +It chanced that Leonard Holt was present on this occasion, and as he +listened to the eloquent discourse of the archbishop, and gazed at the +group around him, all equally zealous in the good cause, and equally +regardless of themselves, he could not but indulge a hope that their +exertions might be crowned with success. It was indeed a touching sight +to see the melancholy congregation to whom his address was +delivered--many, nay most of whom were on the verge of dissolution;--and +Leonard Holt was so moved by the almost apostolic fervour of the +prelate, that, but for the thought of Amabel, he might have followed the +example of several of the auditors, and devoted himself altogether to +the service of the sick. + +His discourse concluded, the archbishop and most of his companions +quitted the cathedral. Hodges, however, and three of the physicians, +remained behind to superintend the necessary preparations. Shortly +after, a large number of pallets were brought in, and ranged along the +nave and aisles at short distances from each other; and, before night, +the interior of the structure presented the complete appearance of an +hospital. Acting under the directions of Doctor Hodges, Leonard Holt +lent his assistance in arranging the pallets, in covering them with +bedding and blankets, and in executing any other service required of +him. A sufficient number of chirurgeons and nurses were then sent for, +and such was the expedition used, that on that very night most of the +pallets were occupied. Thus the cathedral underwent another afflicting +change. A blight had come over it, mildewing its holy walls, and +tainting and polluting its altars. Its aisles, once trodden by grave and +reverend ecclesiastics, and subsequently haunted by rufflers, bullies, +and other worthless characters, were now filled with miserable wretches, +stricken with a loathsome and fatal distemper. Its chapels and shrines +formerly adorned with rich sculptures and costly ornaments, but stripped +of them at times when they were looked upon as idolatrous and profane, +were now occupied by nurses, chirurgeons, and their attendants; while +every niche and corner was filled with surgical implements, phials, +drugs, poultices, foul rags, and linen. + +In less than a week after it had been converted into a pest-house, the +cathedral was crowded to overflowing. Upwards of three hundred pallets +were set up in the nave, in the aisles, in the transepts, and in the +choir, and even in the chapels. But these proving insufficient, many +poor wretches who were brought thither were placed on the cold flags, +and protected only by a single blanket. At night the scene was really +terrific. The imperfect light borne by the attendants fell on the +couches, and revealed the livid countenances of their occupants; while +the vaulted roof rang with shrieks and groans so horrible and +heart-piercing as to be scarcely endured, except by those whose nerves +were firmly strung, or had become blunted by their constant recurrence. +At such times, too, some unhappy creature, frenzied by agony, would +burst from his couch, and rend the air with his cries, until overtaken +and overpowered by his attendants. On one occasion, it happened that a +poor wretch, who had been thus caught, broke loose a second time, and +darting through a door leading to the stone staircase in the northern +transept gained the ambulatory, and being closely followed, to escape +his pursuers, sprang through one of the arched openings, and falling +from a height of near sixty feet, was dashed in pieces on the flagged +floor beneath. + +A walk through this mighty lazar-house would have furnished a wholesome +lesson to the most reckless observer. It seemed to contain all the sick +of the city. And yet it was not so. Hundreds were expiring in their own +dwellings, and the other pest-houses continued crowded as before. Still, +as a far greater number of the infected were here congregated, and could +be seen at one view, the picture was incomparably more impressive. Every +part of the cathedral was occupied. Those who could not find room inside +it crouched beneath the columns of the portico on rugs or blankets, and +implored the chirurgeons as they passed to attend them. Want of room +also drove others into Saint Faith's, and here the scene was, if +possible, more hideous. In this dismal region it was found impossible to +obtain a free circulation of air, and consequently the pestilential +effluvia, unable to escape, acquired such malignancy, that it was almost +certain destruction to inhale it. After a time, few of the nurses and +attendants would venture thither; and to take a patient to Saint Faith's +was considered tantamount to consigning him to the grave. + +Whether Judith Malmayns had succeeded or not in curing Sir Paul +Parravicin, it is not our present purpose to relate. Soon after the +cathedral was converted into a lazar-house she returned thither, and, in +spite of the opposition of Doctor Hodges, was appointed one of the +nurses. It must not be supposed that her appointment was the result of +any ill design. Such was the difficulty of obtaining attendance, that +little choice was left, and the nurses being all of questionable +character, it was supposed she was only a shade worse than her fellows, +while she was known to be active and courageous. And this was speedily +proved; for when Saint Faith's was deserted by the others, she remained +at her post, and quitted it neither night nor day. A large pit was +digged in the open space at the north-east corner of the cathedral, and +to this great numbers of bodies were nightly conveyed by Chowles and +Jonas. But it was soon filled, and they were compelled to resort, as +before, to Finsbury Fields, and to another vast pit near Aldgate. When +not engaged in this revolting employment, Chowles took up his quarters +in the crypt, where, in spite of his propinquity to the sick, he +indulged himself in his customary revelry. He and Judith had amassed, in +one way or other, a vast quantity of spoil, and frequently planned how +they would spend it when the pestilence ceased. Their treasure was +carefully concealed in a cell in one of the secret passages with which +they were acquainted, leading from Saint Faith's to the upper structure. + +One night, on his return from Finsbury Fields, as Chowles was seated in +the crypt, with a pipe in his mouth, and a half-finished flask of wine +before him, he was startled by the sudden entrance of Judith, who, +rushing up to him, seized him by the throat, and almost choked him +before he could extricate himself. + +"What is the matter?--would you strangle me, you murderous harridan?" he +cried. + +"Ay, that I would," replied Judith, preparing to renew the attack. + +"Stand off!" rejoined Chowles, springing back, and snatching up a spade, +"or I will dash out your brains. Are you mad?" he continued, gazing +fearfully at her. + +"I am angry enough to make me so," she replied, shaking her clenched +fists at him. "But I will be revenged--revenged, I tell you." + +"Revenged!" cried Chowles, in astonishment--"for what! What have I +done!" + +"You do well to affect ignorance," rejoined Judith, "but you cannot +deceive me. No one but you can have done it." + +"Done what!" exclaimed Chowles, in increased astonishment. "Has our +hoard been discovered?" + +"Ay, and been carried off--by you--you!" screamed Judith, with a look +worthy of a fury. + +"By my soul, you are wrong," cried Chowles. "I have never touched +it,--never even approached the hiding-place, except in your presence." + +"Liar!" returned Judith, "the whole hoard is gone;--the plunder I +obtained in Newgate,--the Earl of Rochester's plate,--all the rings, +trinkets, and rich apparel I have picked up since,--everything is +gone;--and who but you can be the robber?" + +"It is difficult to say," rejoined Chowles. "But I swear to you, you +suspect me wrongfully." + +"Restore it," replied Judith, "or tell me where it is hidden. If not, I +will be the death of you!" + +"Let us go to the hiding-place," replied Chowles, whose uneasiness was +not diminished by the menace. "You may be mistaken, and I hope you are." + +Though he uttered the latter part of his speech with seeming confidence, +his heart misgave him. To conceal his trepidation, he snatched up a +lamp, and passing through the secret door, hurried along the narrow +stone passage. He was about to open the cell, when he perceived near it +the tall figure of the enthusiast. + +"There is the robber," he cried to Judith. "I have found him. It is +Solomon Eagle. Villain! you have purloined our hoard!" + +"I have done so," replied Solomon Eagle, "and I will carry off all other +spoil you may obtain. Think not to hide it from me. I can watch you when +you see me not, and track you when you suppose me afar off." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Chowles, trembling. "I begin to think he is +possessed of supernatural power," he added, in an undertone to Judith. + +"Go on," pursued Solomon Eagle, "continue to plunder and destroy. Pursue +your guilty career, and see what reward you will reap." + +"Restore what you have robbed us of," cried Judith in a menacing tone, +"or dread the consequences." + +"Woman, you threaten idly," returned Solomon Eagle. "Your ill-gotten +treasure is gone--whither, you will never know. Get hence!" he added, in +a terrible tone, "or I will rid the earth of you both." + +So awed were they by his voice and gestures, that they slunk away with a +discomfited air, and returned to the crypt. + +"If we are always to be robbed in this manner," observed Chowles, "we +had better shift our quarters, and practise elsewhere." + +"He shall not repeat the offence with impunity," returned Judith. "I +will speedily get rid of him." + +"Beware!" cried a voice, which they recognised as that of Solomon Eagle, +though whence proceeding they could not precisely determine. The pair +looked at each other uneasily, but neither spoke a word. + +Meanwhile, Leonard Holt did not omit to pay a daily visit to the +cathedral. It was a painful contemplation, and yet not without deep +interest, to behold the constant succession of patients, most of whom +were swept away by the scourge in the course of a couple of days, or +even in a shorter period. Out of every hundred persons attacked, five +did not recover; and whether the virulence of the distemper increased, +or the summer heats rendered its victims more easily assailable, certain +it is they were carried off far more expeditiously than before. Doctor +Hodges was unremitting in his attentions, but his zeal and anxiety +availed nothing. He had to contend with a disease over which medicine +exercised little control. + +One morning, as he was about to enter the cathedral, he met Leonard +beneath the portico, and as soon as the latter caught sight of him, he +hurried towards him. + +"I have been in search of you," he said, "and was about to proceed to +your residence. Mr. Bloundel wishes to see you immediately. Amabel is +worse." + +"I will go with you at once," replied the doctor. + +And they took the way to Wood-street. + +"From a few words let fall by my master, I imagine he intends sending +Amabel into the country to-morrow," said Leonard, as they proceeded. + +"I hope so," replied Hodges. "He has already delayed it too long. You +will be glad to hear that Nizza Macascree is quite recovered. To-morrow, +or the next day, she will be able to see you with safety." + +"Heaven knows where I may be to-morrow," rejoined Leonard. "Wherever +Amabel goes, I shall not be far off." + +"Faithful to the last!" exclaimed Hodges. "Well, I shall not oppose you. +We must take care the Earl of Rochester does not get a hint of our +proceeding. At this time a chance meeting (were it nothing more) might +prove fatal to the object of our solicitude." + +Leonard said nothing, but the colour fled his cheek, and his lips +slightly quivered. In a few seconds more they reached the grocer's +house. + +They found him at the window anxiously expecting them; and Doctor +Hodges, being drawn up in the same way as before, was conducted to +Amabel's chamber. She was reclining in an easy-chair, with the Bible on +her knee; and though she was much wasted away, she looked more lovely +than ever. A slight hectic flush increased the brilliancy of her eyes, +which had now acquired that ominous lustre peculiar to persons in a +decline. There were other distressing symptoms in her appearance which +the skilful physician well knew how to interpret. To an inexperienced +eye, however, she would have appeared charming. Nothing could exceed the +delicacy of her complexion, or the lovely mould of her features, which, +though they had lost much of their fulness and roundness, had gained in +expression; while the pencilled brows clearly traced upon her snowy +forehead, the long dark eyelashes shading her cheek, and the rich satin +tresses drooping over her shoulders, completed her attractions. Her +mother stood by her side, and not far from her sat little Christiana, +amusing herself with some childish toy, and ever and anon stealing an +anxious glance at her sister. Taking Amabel's arm, and sighing to +himself to think how thin it was, the doctor placed his finger upon her +pulse. Whatever might be his secret opinion, he thought fit to assume a +hopeful manner, and looking smilingly at her, said, "You are better than +I expected, but your departure to the country must not be deferred." + +"Since it is my father's wish that I should do so," replied Amabel, +gently, "I am quite willing to comply. But I feel it will be of no +avail, and I would rather pass the rest of my life here than with +strangers. I cannot be happier than I am now." + +"Perhaps not," replied Hodges; "but a few weeks spent in some salubrious +spot will remove all apprehensions as to your health. You will find your +strength return, and with it the desire of life." + +"My life is in the hands of my Maker," replied Amabel, "and I am ready +to resign it whenever it shall be required of me. At the same time, +however anxious I may be to quit a world which appears a blank to me, I +would make every effort, for the sake of those whose happiness is dearer +to me than my own, to purchase a complete restoration to health. If my +father desires me to try a removal to the country, and you think it will +have a beneficial effect, I am ready to go. But do not urge it, unless +you think there is a chance of my recovery." + +"I will tell you frankly," replied the doctor, "if you remain here, you +have not many weeks to live." + +"But if I go, will you promise me health?" rejoined Amabel. "Do not +deceive me. Is there a hope?" + +"Unquestionably," replied the doctor. "Change of air will work wonders." + +"I beseech you not to hesitate--for my sake do not, dearest daughter," +said Mrs. Bloundel, with difficulty repressing tears. + +"And for mine," added her father, more firmly, yet with deep emotion. + +"I have already expressed my readiness to accede to your wishes," +replied Amabel. "Whenever you have made arrangements for me, I will set +out." + +"And now comes the question--where is she to go?" remarked Hodges. + +"I have a sister, who lives as housekeeper at Lord Craven's seat, +Ashdown Park," replied Mr. Bloundel. "She shall go thither, and her aunt +will take every care of her. The mansion is situated amid the Berkshire +hills, and the air is the purest and best in England." + +"Nothing can be better," replied Hodges; "but who is to escort her +thither?" + +"Leonard Holt," replied Mr. Bloundel. "He will gladly undertake the +office." + +"No doubt," rejoined Hodges; "but cannot you go yourself?" + +"Impossible!" returned the grocer, a shade passing over his countenance. + +"Neither do I wish it," observed Amabel. "I am content to be under the +safeguard of Leonard." + +"Amabel," said her father, "you know not what I shall endure in thus +parting with you. I would give all I possess to be able to accompany +you, but a sense of duty restrains me. I have taken the resolution to +remain here with my family during the continuance of the pestilence, and +I must abide by it. I little thought how severely my constancy would be +tried. But hard though it be, I must submit I shall commit you, +therefore, to the care of an all-merciful Providence, who will not fail +to watch over and protect you." + +"Have no fear for me, father," replied Amabel; "and do not weep, dear +mother," she added to Mrs. Bloundel, who, unable to restrain her grief, +was now drowned in tears; "I shall be well cared for. If we meet no more +in this world, our reunion is certain in that to come. I have given you +much pain and uneasiness, but it will be an additional grief to me if I +think you feel further anxiety on my account." + +"We do not, my dear child," replied Mr. Bloundel. "I am well assured all +is for the best, and if it pleases Heaven to spare you, I shall rejoice +beyond measure in your return. If not, I shall feel a firm reliance that +you will continue in the same happy frame, as at present, to the last, +and that we shall meet above, where there will be no further +separation." + +"I cannot bear to part with her," cried Mrs. Bloundel, clasping her arms +round her daughter--"I cannot--I cannot!" + +"Restrain yourself, Honora," said her husband; "you will do her an +injury." + +"She must not be over excited," interposed Hodges, in a low tone, and +gently drawing the afflicted mother away. "The sooner," he added to Mr. +Bloundel, "she now sets out the better." + +"I feel it," replied the grocer. "She shall start to-morrow morning." + +"I will undertake to procure horses," replied Hodges, "and Leonard will +be ready at any moment." + +With this, he took his leave, and descending by the pulley, communicated +to Leonard what had occurred. + +In spite of his fears on her account, the prospect of again beholding +Amabel so transported the apprentice that he could scarcely attend to +what was said respecting her. When he grew calmer, it was arranged that +all should be in readiness at an early hour on the following morning; +that a couple of horses should be provided; and that Amabel should be +let down fully equipped for the journey. This settled, Leonard, at the +doctor's request, accompanied him to his residence. + +They were scarcely out of sight, when a man, who had been concealed +behind the hutch, in such a position that not a word that had passed +escaped him, issued from his hiding-place, and darting down the first +alley on the right, made the best of his way to Whitehall. + +Up to this time, Doctor Hodges had not judged it prudent to allow a +meeting between Leonard and Nizza Macascree, but now, from reasons of +his own, he resolved no longer to delay it. Accordingly, on reaching his +dwelling, he took the apprentice to her chamber. She was standing in a +pensive attitude, near a window which looked towards the river, and as +she turned on his entrance, Leonard perceived that her eyes were filled +with tears. Blushing deeply, she advanced towards him, and greeted him +with all the warmth of her affectionate nature. She had quite recovered +her good looks, and Leonard could not but admit that, had he seen her +before his heart was plighted to another, it must have been given to +her. Comparisons are ungracious, and tastes differ more perhaps as to +beauty than on any other point; but if Amabel and the piper's daughter +had been placed together, it would not have been difficult to determine +to which of the two the palm of superior loveliness should be assigned. +There was a witchery in the magnificent black eyes of the latter--in her +exquisitely-formed mouth and pearly teeth--in her clear nut-brown +complexion--in her dusky and luxuriant tresses, and in her light elastic +figure, with which more perfect but less piquant charms could not +compete. Such seemed to be the opinion of Doctor Hodges, for as he gazed +at her with unaffected admiration, he exclaimed, as if to himself-- +"I'faith, if I had to choose between the two, I know which it would be." + +This exclamation somewhat disconcerted the parties to whom it referred, +and the doctor did not relieve their embarrassment by adding, "Well, I +perceive I am in the way. You must have much to say to each other that +can in nowise interest me. Excuse me a moment, while I see that the +horses are ordered." + +So saying, and disregarding Leonard's expostulating looks, he hurried +out of the room, and shut the door after him. + +Hitherto, the conversation had been unrestrained and agreeable on both +sides, but now they were left alone together, neither appeared able to +utter a word. Nizza cast her eyes timidly on the ground, while Leonard +caressed little Bell, who had been vainly endeavouring by her gamesome +tricks to win his attention. + +"Doctor Hodges spoke of ordering horses," said Nizza, at length breaking +silence. "Are you going on a journey?" + +"I am about to take Amabel to Ashdown Park, in Berkshire, to-morrow +morning," replied Leonard. "She is dangerously ill." + +"Of the plague?" asked Nizza, anxiously. + +"Of a yet worse disorder," replied Leonard, heaving a deep sigh--"of a +broken heart." + +"Alas! I pity her from my soul!" replied Nizza, in a tone of the deepest +commiseration. "Does her mother go with her?" + +"No," replied Leonard, "I alone shall attend her. She will be placed +under the care of a near female relative at Ashdown." + +"Would it not be better,--would it not be safer, if she is in the +precarious state you describe, that some one of her own sex should +accompany her?" said Nizza. + +"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. + +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." + +He then led the way into the cottage. The good old dame who kept it, on +learning who they were, and that they were sent by Doctor Hodges, gave +them a hearty welcome, and placed refreshments before them. Leonard +commented upon the extreme neatness of the abode and its healthful +situation, and expressed a hope that it might not be visited by the +plague. + +"I trust it will not," rejoined the old woman, shaking her head; "but +when I hear the doleful bell at night--when I catch a glimpse of the +fatal cart--or look towards yon dreadful place," and she pointed in the +direction of the plague-pit, which lay only a few hundred yards to the +west of her habitation--"I am reminded that the scourge is not far off, +and that it must needs reach me ere long." + +"Have no fear, Dame Lucas," said the piper; "you see it has pleased a +merciful Providence to spare the lives of myself, my child, and this +young man, and if you should be attacked, the same benificent Being may +preserve you in like manner." + +"The Lord's will be done!" rejoined Dame Lucas. "I know I shall be well +attended to by Doctor Hodges. I nursed him when he was an infant, and he +has been like a son to me. Bless his kind heart!" she exclaimed, her +eyes filling with tears of gratitude, "there is not his like in London." + +"Always excepting my master," observed Leonard, with a smile at her +enthusiasm. + +"I except no one," rejoined Dame Lucas. "A worthier man never lived, +than Doctor Hodges. If I die of the plague," she continued, "he has +promised not to let me be thrown into that horrible pit--ough!--but to +bury me in my garden, beneath the old apple-tree." + +"And he will keep his word, dame, I am sure," replied Leonard. "I would +recommend you, however, as the best antidote against the plague, to keep +yourself constantly employed, and to indulge as few gloomy notions as +possible." + +"I am seldom melancholy, and still more seldom idle," replied the good +dame. "But despondency will steal on me sometimes, especially when the +dead-cart passes and I think what it contains." + +While the conversation was going forward, Nizza and the piper withdrew +into an inner room, where they remained closeted together for some time. +On their re-appearance, Nizza said she was ready to depart, and taking +an affectionate farewell of her father, and committing Bell to his +charge, she quitted the cottage with the apprentice. + +Evening was now advancing, and the sun was setting with the gorgeousness +already described as peculiar to this fatal period. Filled with the +pleasing melancholy inspired by the hour, they walked on in silence. +They had not proceeded far, when they observed a man crossing the field +with a bundle in his arms. Suddenly, he staggered and fell. Seeing he +did not stir, and guessing what was the matter, Leonard ran towards him +to offer him assistance. He found him lying in the grass with his left +hand fixed against his heart. He groaned heavily, and his features were +convulsed with pain. Near him lay the body of a beautiful little girl, +with long fair hair, and finely-formed features, though now disfigured +by purple blotches, proclaiming the disorder of which she had perished. +She was apparently about ten years old, and was partially covered by a +linen cloth. The man, whose features bore a marked resemblance to those +of the child, was evidently from his attire above the middle rank. His +frame was athletic, and as he was scarcely past the prime of life, the +irresistible power of the disease, which could in one instant prostrate +strength like his, was terribly attested. + +"Alas!" he cried, addressing the apprentice, "I was about to convey the +remains of my poor child to the plague-pit. But I have been unable to +accomplish my purpose. I hoped she would have escaped the polluting +touch of those loathly attendants on the dead-cart." + +"She _shall_ escape it," replied Leonard; "if you wish it, I will carry +her to the pit myself." + +"The blessing of a dying man rest on your head," cried the sufferer; +"your charitable action will not pass unrequited." + +With this, despite the agony he endured, he dragged himself to his +child, kissed her cold lips, smoothed her fair tresses, and covered the +body carefully with the cloth. He then delivered it to Leonard, who +received it tenderly, and calling to Nizza Macascree, who had witnessed +the scene at a little distance, and was deeply affected by it, to await +his return, ran towards the plague-pit. Arrived there, he placed his +little burden at the brink of the excavation, and, kneeling beside it, +uttered a short prayer inspired by the occasion. He then tore his +handkerchief into strips, and tying them together, lowered the body +gently down. Throwing a little earth over it, he hastened to the sick +man, and told him what he had done. A smile of satisfaction illumined +the sufferer's countenance, and holding out his hand, on which a +valuable ring glistened, he said, "Take it--it is but a poor reward for +the service you have rendered me;--nay, take it," he added, seeing that +the apprentice hesitated; "others will not be so scrupulous." + +Unable to gainsay the remark, Leonard took the ring from his finger and +placed it on his own. At this moment, the sick man's gaze fell upon +Nizza, who stood at a little distance from him. He started, and made an +effort to clear his vision. + +"Do my eyes deceive me?" he cried, "or is a female standing there?" + +"You are not deceived," replied Leonard. + +"Let her come near me, in Heaven's name!" cried the sick man, staring at +her as if his eyes would start from their sockets. "Who are you?" he +continued, as Nizza approached. + +"I am called Nizza Macascree, and am the daughter of a poor piper," she +replied. + +"Ah!" exclaimed the sick man, with a look of deep disappointment. "The +resemblance is wonderful! And yet it cannot be. My brain is bewildered." + +"Whom does she resemble?" asked Leonard, eagerly. + +"One very dear to me," replied the sick man, with an expression of +remorse and anguish, "one I would not think of now." And he buried his +face in the grass. + +"Is there aught more I can do for you?" inquired Leonard, after a pause. + +"No," replied the sick man; "I have done with the world. With that +child, the last tie that bound me to it was snapped. I now only wish to +die." + +"Do not give way thus," replied Leonard; "a short time ago my condition +was as apparently hopeless as your own, and you see I am now perfectly +recovered." + +"You had something to live for--something to love," groaned the sick +man. "All I lived for, all I loved, are gone." + +"Be comforted, sir," said Nizza, in a commiserating tone. "Much +happiness may yet be in store for you." + +"That voice!" exclaimed the sick man, with a look denoting the approach +of delirium. "It must be my Isabella. Oh! forgive me! sweet injured +saint; forgive me!" + +"Your presence evidently distresses him," said Leonard. "Let us hasten +for assistance. Your name, sir?" he added, to the sick man. + +"Why should you seek to know it?" replied the other. "No tombstone will +be placed over the plague-pit." + +"Not a moment must be lost if you would save him," cried Nizza. + +"You are right," replied Leonard. "Let us fly to the nearest +apothecary's." + +Accordingly, they set off at a quick pace towards Moorgate. Just as they +reached it, they heard the bell ring, and saw the dead-cart approaching. +Shrinking back while it passed, they ran on till they came to an +apothecary's shop, where Leonard, describing the state of the sick man, +by his entreaties induced the master of the establishment and one of his +assistants to accompany him. Leaving Nizza in the shop, he then retraced +his steps with his companions. The sick man was lying where he had left +him, but perfectly insensible. On searching his pockets, a purse of +money was found, but neither letter nor tablet to tell who he was. +Leonard offered the purse to the apothecary, but the latter declined it, +and desired his assistant, who had brought a barrow with him, to place +the sick man within it, and convey him to the pest-house. + +"He will be better cared for there than if I were to take charge of +him," he observed. "As to the money, you can return it if he recovers. +If not, it of right belongs to you." + +Seeing that remonstrance would be useless, Leonard did not attempt it, +and while the assistant wheeled away the sick man, he returned with the +apothecary to his dwelling. Thanking him for his kindness, he then +hastened with Nizza Macascree to Great Knightrider-street. He related to +the doctor all that had occurred, and showed him the ring. Hodges +listened to the recital with great attention, and at its close said, +"This is a very singular affair, and excites my curiosity greatly. I +will go to the pest-house and see the sick man to-morrow. And now we +will proceed to supper; and then you had better retire to rest, for you +will have to be astir before daybreak. All is in readiness for the +journey." + +The last night (for such she considered it) spent by Amabel in her +father's dwelling, was passed in the kindliest interchanges of +affection. Mr. Bloundel had much ado to maintain his firmness, and ever +and anon, in spite of his efforts, his labouring bosom and faltering +tones proclaimed the struggle within. He sat beside his daughter, with +her thin fingers clasped in his, and spoke to her on every consolatory +topic that suggested itself. This discourse, however, insensibly took a +serious turn, and the grocer became fully convinced that his daughter +was not merely reconciled to the early death that to all appearance +awaited her, but wishful for it. He found, too, to his inexpressible +grief, that the sense of the Earl of Rochester's treachery, combined +with her own indiscretion, and the consequences that might have attended +it, had sunk deep in her heart, and produced the present sad result. + +Mrs. Bloundel, it will scarcely be supposed, could support herself so +well as her husband, but when any paroxysm of grief approached she +rushed out of the room, and gave vent to her affliction alone. All the +rest of the family were present, and were equally distressed. But what +most strongly affected Amabel was a simple, natural remark of little +Christiana, who, fixing her tearful gaze on her, entreated her "to come +back soon." + +Weak as she was, Amabel took the child upon her knee, and said to her, +"I am going a long journey, Christiana, and, perhaps may never come +back. But if you attend to what your father says to you, if you never +omit, morning and evening, to implore the blessing of Heaven, we shall +meet again." + +"I understand what you mean, sister," said Christiana. "The place you +are going to is the grave." + +"You have guessed rightly, Christiana," rejoined Amabel, solemnly. "Do +not forget my last words to you, and when you are grown into a woman, +think upon the poor sister who loved you tenderly." + +"I shall always think of you," said Christiana, clasping her arms round +her sister's neck. "Oh! I wish I could go to the grave instead of you!" + +Amabel pressed her to her bosom, and in a broken voice murmured a +blessing over her. + +Mr. Bloundel here thought it necessary to interfere, and, taking the +weeping child in his arms, carried her into the adjoining apartment. + +Soon after this, the household were summoned to prayers, and as the +grocer poured forth an address to Heaven for the preservation of his +daughter, all earnestly joined in the supplication. Their devotions +ended, Amabel took leave of her brothers, and the parting might have +been painfully prolonged but for the interposition of her father. The +last and severest trial was at hand. She had now to part from her +mother, from whom, except on the occasion of her flight with the Earl of +Rochester, she had never yet been separated. She had now to part with +her, in all probability, for ever. It was a heart-breaking reflection to +both. Knowing it would only renew their affliction, and perhaps unfit +Amabel for the journey, Mr. Bloundel had prevailed upon his wife not to +see her in the morning. The moment had, therefore, arrived when they +were to bid each other farewell. The anguish displayed in his wife's +countenance was too much for the grocer, and he covered his face with +his hands. He heard her approach Amabel--he listened to their mutual +sobs--to their last embrace. It was succeeded by a stifled cry, and +uncovering his face at the sound, he sprang to his feet just in time to +receive his swooning wife in his arms. + + + + +VI. THE DEPARTURE. + +It struck four by Saint Paul's as Doctor Hodges, accompanied by Leonard +and Nizza Macascree, issued from his dwelling, and proceeded towards +Wood-street. The party was followed by a man leading a couple of horses, +equipped with pillions, and furnished with saddle-bags, partly filled +with the scanty luggage which the apprentice and the piper's daughter +took with them. A slight haze, indicative of the intense heat about to +follow, hung round the lower part of the cathedral, but its topmost +pinnacles glittered in the beams of the newly-risen sun. As Leonard +gazed at the central tower, he descried Solomon Eagle on its summit, and +pointed him out to Hodges. Motioning the apprentice, in a manner that +could not be misunderstood, to halt, the enthusiast vanished, and in +another moment appeared upon the roof, and descended to the battlements, +overlooking the spot where the little party stood. This was at the +northwest corner of the cathedral, at a short distance from the portico. +The enthusiast had a small sack in his hand, and calling to Nizza +Macascree to take it, flung it to the ground. The ringing sound which it +made on its fall proved that it contained gold or silver, while its size +showed that the amount must be considerable. Nizza looked at it in +astonishment, but did not offer to touch it. + +"Take it!" thundered Solomon Eagle; "it is your dowry." And perceiving +she hesitated to comply with the injunction, he shouted to Leonard. +"Give it her. I have no use for gold. May it make you and her happy!" + +"I know not where he can have obtained this money," observed Hodges; +"but I am sure in no unlawful manner, and I therefore counsel Nizza to +accept the boon. It may be of the greatest use to her at some future +time." + +His scruples being thus overcome, Leonard took the sack, and placed it +in one of the saddle-bags. + +"You can examine it at your leisure," remarked Hodges to Nizza. "We have +no more time to lose." + +Solomon Eagle, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction at the apprentice's +compliance by his gestures, and, waving his staff round his head, +pointed towards the west of the city, as if inquiring whether that was +the route they meant to take. Leonard nodded an affirmative; and, the +enthusiast spreading out his arms and pronouncing an audible benediction +over them, they resumed their course. The streets were silent and +deserted, except by the watchmen stationed at the infected dwellings, +and a few sick persons stretched on the steps of some of the better +habitations. In order to avoid coming in contact with these miserable +creatures, the party, with the exception of Doctor Hodges, kept in the +middle of the road. Attracted by the piteous exclamations of the +sufferers, Doctor Hodges, ever and anon, humanely paused to speak to +them; and he promised one poor woman, who was suckling an infant, to +visit her on his return. + +"I have no hopes of saving her," he observed to Leonard, "but I may +preserve her child. There is an establishment in Aldgate for infants +whose mothers have died of the plague, where more than a hundred little +creatures are suckled by she-goats, and it is wonderful how well they +thrive under their nurses. If I can induce this poor woman to part with +her child, I will send it thither." + +Just then, their attention was arrested by the sudden opening of a +casement, and a middle-aged woman, wringing her hands, cried, with a +look of unutterable anguish and despair--"Pray for us, good people! pray +for us!" + +"We _do_ pray for you, my poor soul!" rejoined Hodges, "as well as for +all who are similarly afflicted. What sick have you within?" + +"There were ten yesterday," replied the woman. "Two have died in the +night--my husband and my eldest son--and there are eight others whose +recovery is hopeless. Pray for us! As you hope to be spared yourselves, +pray for us!" And, with a lamentable cry, she closed the casement. + +Familiarized as all who heard her were with spectacles of horror and +tales of woe, they could not listen to this sad recital, nor look upon +her distracted countenance, without the deepest commiseration. Other +sights had previously affected them, but not in the same degree. Around +the little conduit standing in front of the Old Change, at the western +extremity of Cheapside, were three lazars laving their sores in the +water; while, in the short space between this spot and Wood-street, +Leonard counted upwards of twenty doors marked with the fatal red cross, +and bearing upon them the sad inscription, "Lord have mercy upon us!" + +A few minutes' walking brought them to the grocer's habitation, and on +reaching it, they found that Blaize had already descended. He was +capering about the street with joy at his restoration to freedom. + +"Mistress Amabel will make her appearance in a few minutes," he said to +Leonard. "Our master is with her, and is getting all ready for her +departure. I have not come unprovided with medicine," he added to Doctor +Hodges. "I have got a bottle of plague-water in one pocket, and a phial +of vinegar in the other. Besides these, I have a small pot of Mayerne's +electuary in my bag, another of the grand antipestilential confection, +and a fourth of the infallible antidote which I bought of the celebrated +Greek physician, Doctor Constantine Rhodocanaceis, at his shop near the +Three-Kings Inn, in Southampton-buildings. I dare say you have heard of +him?" + +"I _have_ heard of the quack," replied Hodges. "His end was a just +retribution for the tricks he practised on his dupes. In spite of his +infallible antidote, he was carried off by the scourge. But what else +have you got?" + +"Only a few trifles," replied Blaize, with a chap-fallen look. "Patience +has made me a pomander-ball composed of angelica, rue, zedoary, camphor, +wax, and laudanum, which I have hung round my neck with a string. Then I +have got a good-sized box of rufuses, and have swallowed three of them +preparatory to the journey." + +"A proper precaution," observed Hodges, with a smile. + +"This is not all," replied Blaize. "By my mother's advice, I have eaten +twenty leaves of rue, two roasted figs, and two pickled walnuts for +breakfast, washing them down with an ale posset, with pimpernel seethed +in it." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Hodges. "You must be in a pretty condition for a +journey. But how could you bear to part with your mother and Patience?" + +"The parting from Patience _was_ heart-breaking," replied Blaize, taking +out his handkerchief, and applying it to his eyes. "We sat up half the +night together, and I felt so much overcome that I began to waver in my +resolution of departing. I am glad I did not give way now," he added, in +a more sprightly tone. "Fresh air and bright sunshine are very different +things from the close rooms in that dark house." + +"You must not forget that you were there free from the contagion," +rejoined Hodges; "while you are here exposed to its assaults." + +"True," replied Blaize; "that makes a vast difference. I almost wish I +was back again." + +"It is too late to think of returning," said Hodges. "Mount your horse, +and I will assist Nizza into the pillion." + +By the time that Blaize, who was but an indifferent horseman, had got +into the saddle, and Nizza had taken her place behind him, the window +opened, and Mr. Bloundel appeared at it. + +Amabel had only retired to rest for a few hours during the night. When +left to herself in her chamber, she continued to pray till exhaustion +compelled her to seek some repose. Arising about two o'clock, she +employed herself for more than an hour in further devotion, and then +took a last survey of every object in the room. She had occupied it from +her childhood; and as she opened drawer after drawer, and cupboard after +cupboard, and examined their contents, each article recalled some +circumstance connected with the past, and brought back a train of +long-forgotten emotions. While she was thus engaged, Patience tapped at +the door, and was instantly admitted. The tenderhearted kitchenmaid +assisted her to dress, and to put together some few articles omitted to +be packed by her mother. During this employment she shed abundance of +tears, and Amabel's efforts to console her only made matters worse. Poor +Patience was forced at last to sit down, and indulge a hearty fit of +crying, after which she felt considerably relieved. As soon as she was +sufficiently recovered to be able to speak, she observed to Amabel, +"Pardon what I am about to say to you, my dear young mistress, but I +cannot help thinking that the real seat of your disease is in the +heart." + +A slight blush overspread Amabel's pale features, but she made no +answer. + +"I see I am right," continued Patience, "and indeed I have long +suspected it. Let me entreat you, therefore, dear young lady, not to +sacrifice yourself. Only say the word, and I will find means of making +your retreat known to the Earl of Rochester. Blaize is devoted to you, +and will do anything you bid him. I cannot wonder you fret after so +handsome, so captivating a man as the earl, especially when you are +worried to death to marry a common apprentice like Leonard Holt, who is +not fit to hold a candle to your noble admirer. Ah! we women can never +blind ourselves to the advantages of rank and appearance. We are too +good judges for that. I hope you will soon be restored to your lover, +and that the happiness you will enjoy will make amends for all the +misery you have endured." + +"Patience," said Amabel, whose cheek, as the other spoke, had returned +to its original paleness--"Patience," she said, gravely, but kindly, "I +have suffered you to proceed too far without interruption, and must +correct the very serious error into which you have fallen. I am so far +from pining for an interview with the Earl of Rochester, that nothing in +the world should induce me to see him again. I have loved him deeply," +she continued in a tremulous tone; "nay, I will not attempt to disguise +that I feel strongly towards him still, while I will also freely confess +that his conduct towards me has so preyed upon my spirits, that it has +impaired, perhaps destroyed, my health. In spite of this, I cannot +sufficiently rejoice that I have escaped the earl's snares--I cannot be +sufficiently thankful to the merciful Being who, while he has thought +fit to chastise me, has preserved me from utter ruin." + +"Since you are of this mind," returned Patience, in a tone of +incredulity, "you are more to be rejoiced with than pitied. But we are +not overheard," she added, almost in a whisper, and glancing towards the +door. "You may entirely confide in me. The time is arrived when you can +escape to your lover." + +"No more of this," rejoined Amabel, severely, "or I shall command you to +leave the room." + +"This is nothing more than pique," thought Patience. "We women are all +hypocrites, even to ourselves. I will serve her whether she will or not. +She _shall_ see the earl. I hope there is no harm in wishing you may be +happy with Leonard Holt," she added aloud. "_He_ will make you a capital +husband." + +"That subject is equally disagreeable--equally painful to me," said +Amabel. + +"I had better hold my tongue altogether," rejoined Patience, somewhat +pertly. "Whatever I say seems to be wrong. It won't prevent me from +doing as I would be done by," she added to herself. + +Amabel's preparations finished, she dismissed Patience, to whom she gave +some few slight remembrances, and was soon afterwards joined by her +father. They passed half an hour together, as on the former night, in +serious and devout conversation, after which Mr. Bloundel left her for a +few minutes to let down Blaize. On his return he tenderly embraced her, +and led her into the passage. They had not advanced many steps when Mrs. +Bloundel rushed forth to meet them. She was in her night-dress, and +seemed overwhelmed with affliction. + +"How is this, Honora?" cried her husband, in a severe tone. "You +promised me you would see Amabel no more. You will only distress her." + +"I could not let her go thus," cried Mrs. Bloundel. "I was listening at +my chamber door to hear her depart, and when I caught the sound of her +footsteps, I could no longer control myself." So saying, she rushed to +her daughter, and clasped her in her arms. + +Affectionately returning her mother's embrace, Amabel gave her hand to +her father, who conducted her to the little room overlooking the street. +Nothing more, except a deep and passionate look, was exchanged between +them. Both repressed their emotion, and though the heart of each was +bursting, neither shed a tear. At that moment, and for the first time, +they greatly resembled each other; and this was not surprising, for +intense emotion, whether of grief or joy, will bring out lines in the +features that lie hidden at other times. Without a word, Mr. Bloundel +busied himself in arranging the pulley; and calling to those below to +prepare for Amabel's descent, again embraced her, kissed her pale brow, +and, placing her carefully in the basket, lowered her slowly to the +ground. She was received in safety by Leonard, who carried her in his +arms, and placed her on the pillion. The pulley was then drawn up, and +her luggage lowered by Mr. Bloundel, and placed in the saddle-bags by +the apprentice. Every one saw the necessity of terminating this painful +scene. A kindly farewell was taken of Hodges. Amabel waved her hand to +her father, when at this moment Patience appeared at the window, and, +calling to Blaize, threw a little package tied in a handkerchief to him. +Doctor Hodges took up the parcel, and gave it to the porter, who, +untying the handkerchief, glanced at a note it enclosed, and, striking +his horse with his stick, dashed off towards Cheapside. + +"Pursue him!" cried Amabel to Leonard; "he is flying to the Earl of +Rochester." + +The intimation was sufficient for the apprentice. Urging his horse into +a quick pace, he came up with the fugitive, just as he had reached +Cheapside. Blaize's mad career had been checked by Nizza Macascree, who, +seizing the bridle, stopped the steed. Leonard, who was armed with a +heavy riding-whip, applied it unsparingly to Blaize's shoulders. + +"Entreat him to hold his hand, dear, good Mistress Amabel," cried the +porter; "it was for your sake alone I made this rash attempt. Patience +told me you were dying to see the Earl of Rochester, and made me promise +I would ride to Whitehall to acquaint his lordship whither you were +going. Here is her letter which I was about to deliver." And as he +spoke, he handed her the note, which was tied with a piece of +packthread, and directed in strange and almost illegible characters. + +"Do not hurt him more," said Amabel; "he was not aware of the mischief +he was about to commit. And learn from me, Blaize, that, so far from +desiring to see the Earl of Rochester, all my anxiety is to avoid him." + +"If I had known that," returned the porter, "I would not have stirred a +step. But Patience assured me the contrary." + +By this time, Doctor Hodges had come up, and an explanation ensued. It +was agreed, however, that it would be better not to alarm Mr. Bloundel, +but to attribute the porter's sudden flight to mismanagement of his +steed. Accordingly, they returned to the residence of the grocer, who +was anxiously looking out for them; and after a brief delay, during +which the saddlebags were again examined and secured, they departed. Mr. +Bloundel looked wistfully after his daughter, and she returned his gaze +as long as her blinding eyes would permit her. So unwonted was the sound +of horses' feet at this period, that many a melancholy face appeared at +the window to gaze at them as they rode by, and Nizza Macascree +shuddered as she witnessed the envious glances cast after them by these +poor captives. As to Blaize, when they got into Cheapside, he was so +terrified by the dismal evidences of the pestilence that met him at +every turn, that he could scarcely keep his seat, and it was not until +he had drenched himself and his companion with vinegar, and stuffed his +mouth with myrrh and zedoary, that he felt anything like composure. + +On approaching Newgate Market, they found it entirely deserted. Most of +the stalls were removed, the shops closed, and the window-shutters +nailed up. It was never, in fact, used at all, except by a few +countrymen and higglers, who ventured thither on certain days of the +week to sell fresh eggs, butter, poultry, and such commodities. The +manner of sale was this. The article disposed of was placed on a flag on +one side of the market, near which stood a pump and a trough of water. +The vendor then retired, while the purchaser approached, took the +article, and put its price into the water, whence it was removed when +supposed to be sufficiently purified. + +As the party passed Grey Friars, the tramp of their horses was mistaken +for the dead-cart, and a door was suddenly opened and a corpse brought +forth. Leonard would have avoided the spectacle had it been possible, +but they were now too close to Newgate, where they were detained for a +few minutes at the gate, while their bills of health were examined and +countersigned by the officer stationed there. During this pause Leonard +glanced at the grated windows of the prison, the debtors' side of which +fronted the street. But not a single face was to be seen. In fact, as +has already been stated, the prison was shut up. + +The gate was now opened to them, and descending Snow Hill they entered a +region completely devastated by the pestilence. So saddening was the +sight, that Leonard involuntarily quickened his horse's pace, resolved +to get out of this forlorn district as speedily as possible. He was, +however, stopped by an unexpected and fearful impediment. When within a +short distance of Holborn Bridge, he observed on the further side of it +a large black vehicle, and, unable to make out what it was, though a +fearful suspicion crossed him, slackened his pace. A nearer approach +showed him that it was the pest-cart, filled with its charnel load. The +horse was in the shafts, and was standing quite still. Rising in his +stirrups to obtain a better view, Leonard perceived that the driver was +lying on the ground at a little distance from the cart, in an attitude +that proclaimed he had been suddenly seized by the pestilence, and had +probably just expired. + +Not choosing to incur the risk of passing this contagious load, Leonard +retraced his course as far as Holborn Conduit, then turning into +Seacole-lane, and making the best of his way to Fleet Bridge, crossed +it, and entered the great thoroughfare with which it communicated. He +had not proceeded far when he encountered a small party of the watch, to +whom he showed his certificate, and recounted the fate of the driver of +the dead-cart. At Temple Bar he was again obliged to exhibit his +passports; and while there detained, he observed three other horsemen +riding towards them from the further end of Fleet-street. + +Though much alarmed by the sight, Leonard did not communicate his +apprehensions to his companions, but as soon as the guard allowed him to +pass, called out to Blaize to follow him, and urging his horse to a +quick pace, dashed up Drury-lane. A few minutes' hard riding, during +which nothing occurred to give the apprentice further uneasiness, +brought them to a road skirting the open fields, in which a pest-house +had just been built by the chivalrous nobleman whose habitation in +Berkshire they were about to visit. With a courage and devotion that +redound more to his honour than the brilliant qualities that won him so +high a reputation in the court and in the field, Lord Craven not merely +provided the present receptacle for the sick, but remained in London +during the whole continuance of the dreadful visitation; "braving," says +Pennant, "the fury of the pestilence with the same coolness that he +fought the battles of his beloved mistress, Elizabeth, titular Queen of +Bohemia, or mounted the tremendous breach of Creutznach." The spot where +this asylum was built, and which is the present site of Golden-square, +retained nearly half a century afterwards, the name of the Pest-house +Fields. Leonard had already been made acquainted by Doctor Hodges with +the earl's generous devotion to the public welfare, and warmly +commenting upon it, he pointed out the structure to Amabel. But the +speed at which she was borne along did not allow her time to bestow more +than a hasty glance at it. On gaining Hyde-park Corner, the apprentice +cast a look backwards, and his apprehensions were revived by perceiving +the three horsemen again in view, and evidently using their utmost +exertions to come up with them. + +While Leonard was hesitating whether he should make known their danger +to Amabel, he perceived Solomon Eagle dart from behind a wall on the +left of the road, and plant himself in the direct course of their +pursuers, and he involuntarily drew in the rein to see what would ensue. +In another moment, the horsemen, who were advancing at full gallop, and +whom Leonard now recognised as the Earl of Rochester, Pillichody, and +Sir Paul Parravicin, had approached within a few yards of the +enthusiast, and threatened to ride over him if he did not get of the +way. Seeing, however, that he did not offer to move, they opened on +either side of him, and were passing swiftly by, when, with infinite +dexterity, he caught hold of the bridle of Rochester's steed, and +checking him, seized the earl by the leg, and threw him to the ground. + +Sir Paul Parravicin pulled up as soon as he could, and, drawing his +sword, rode back to assist his friend, and punish the aggressor; but the +enthusiast, nothing daunted, met him in full career, and suddenly +lifting up his arms, uttered a loud cry, which so startled the knight's +high-spirited horse, that it reared and flung him. All this was the work +of a few seconds. Pillichody had been borne forward by the impetuosity +of his steed to within a short distance of the apprentice, and seeing +the fate of his companions, and not liking Leonard's menacing gestures, +he chipped spurs into his horse, and rode up Park-lane. + +Overjoyed at his unexpected deliverance, Leonard, whose attention had +been completely engrossed by what was passing, now ventured to look at +Amabel, and became greatly alarmed at her appearance. She was as pale as +death, except a small scarlet patch on either cheek, which contrasted +powerfully with the death-like hue of the rest of her countenance. Her +hands convulsively clasped the back of the pillion; her lips were +slightly apart, and her eyes fixed upon the prostrate form of the Earl +of Rochester. On finding they were pursued, and by whom, her first +impulse had been to fling herself from the pillion, and to seek safety +by flight; but controlling herself, she awaited the result with forced +composure, and was now sinking from the exhaustion of the effort. + +"Thank Heaven! we are safe," cried the apprentice; "but I fear the shock +has been too much for you." + +"It has," gasped Amabel, falling against his shoulder. "Let us fly--oh! +let us fly." + +Inexpressibly shocked and alarmed, Leonard twined his left arm round her +waist so as to hold her on the steed, for she was utterly unable to +support herself, and glancing anxiously at Nizza Macascree, struck off +on the right into the road skirting the Park, and in the direction of +Tyburn, where there was a small inn, at which he hoped to procure +assistance. Before reaching this place, he was beyond description +relieved to find that Amabel had so far recovered as to be able to raise +her head. + +"The deadly faintness is passed," she murmured; "I shall be better soon. +But I fear I am too weak to pursue the journey at present." + +Leonard spurred on his steed, and in another instant reached Tyburn, and +drew up at the little inn. But no assistance could be obtained there. +The house was closed; there was a red cross on the door; and a watchman, +stationed in front of it, informed him that all the family had died of +the plague except the landlord--"and he will be buried beside them in +Paddington churchyard before to-morrow morning," added the man; "for his +nurse tells me it is impossible he can survive many hours." + +As he spoke an upper window was opened, and a woman, thrusting forth her +head, cried, "Poor Master Sandys has just breathed his last. Come in, +Philip, and help me to prepare the body for the dead-cart." + +"I will be with you in a minute," rejoined the watchman. "You may +possibly procure accommodation at the Wheatsheaf at Paddington," he +added to Leonard; "it is but a short distance up the road." + +Thanking him for the information, Leonard took the course indicated. He +had not proceeded far, when he was alarmed by hearing a piteous cry of +"Stop! stop!" proceeding from Blaize; and, halting, found that the +porter had been so greatly terrified by the watchman's account of the +frightful mortality in the poor innkeeper's family, that he had applied +to his phial of plague-water, and in pulling it put had dropped his box +of rufuses, and the jar of anti-pestilential confection. He had just +ascertained his loss, and wished to go back, but this Nizza Macascree +would not permit. Enraged at the delay, Leonard peremptorily ordered the +porter to come on; and Blaize, casting a rueful glance at his treasures, +which he perceived at a little distance in the middle of the road, was +compelled to obey. + +At Paddington, another disappointment awaited them. The Wheatsheaf was +occupied by two large families, who were flying from the infected city, +and no accommodation could be obtained. Leonard looked wistfully at +Nizza Macascree, as if to ascertain what to do, and she was equally +perplexed; but the difficulty was relieved by Amabel herself, who said +she felt much better, and able to proceed a little further. "Do not +return to London," she continued with great earnestness. "I would rather +die on the road than go home again. Some cottage will receive us. If +not, I can rest for a short time in the fields." + +Thinking it best to comply, Leonard proceeded along the Harrow-road. +Soon after crossing Paddington Green, he overtook a little train of +fugitives driving a cart filled with children, and laden with luggage. +Further on, as he surveyed the beautiful meadows, stretching out on +either side of him, he perceived a line of small tents, resembling a +gipsy encampment, pitched at a certain distance from each other, and +evidently occupied by families who had fled from their homes from fear +of infection. This gave a singular character to the prospect. But there +were other and far more painful sights on the road, which could not fail +to attract attention. For the first half-mile, almost at every hundred +yards might be seen some sick man, who, unable to proceed further, had +fallen against the hedge-side, and exhibited his sores to move the pity +of the passers-by. But these supplications were wholly unheeded. +Self-preservation was the first object with all, and the travellers +holding handkerchiefs steeped in vinegar to their faces, and averting +their heads, passed by on the other side of the way. + +The pestilence, it may be remarked, had visited with extraordinary +rigour the whole of the higher country at the west and north-west of the +metropolis. The charmingly-situated, and, at other seasons, healthful +villages of Hampstead and Highgate, suffered severely from the scourge; +and it even extended its ravages as far as Harrow-on-the-Hill, which it +half depopulated. This will account for the circumstance of a large +pest-house being erected in the neighbourhood of Westbourne Green, which +the party now approached. Two litters were seen crossing the fields in +the direction of the hospital, and this circumstance called Leonard's +attention to it. Shudderingly averting his gaze, he quickened his pace, +and soon reached a small farmhouse on the summit of the hill rising from +Kensal Green. Determined to seek a temporary asylum here for Amabel, he +opened a gate, and, riding into the yard, fortunately met with owner of +the house, a worthy farmer, named Wingfield, to whom he explained her +situation. The man at first hesitated, but, on receiving Leonard's +solemn assurance that she was free from the plague, consented to receive +the whole party. + +Assisting Amabel to dismount, Wingfield conveyed her in his arms into +the house, and delivered her to his wife, bidding her take care of her. +The injunction was scarcely needed. The good dame, who was a middle-aged +woman, with pleasing features, which lost none of their interest from +being stamped with profound melancholy, gazed at her for a moment +fixedly, and then observed in an under-tone, but with much emotion, to +her husband, "Ah! Robert, how much this sweet creature resembles our +poor Sarah!" + +"Hush! hush! dame," rejoined her husband, hastily brushing away the +moisture that sprang to his eyes; "take her to your chamber, and see +that she wants nothing. There is another young woman outside, whom I +will send to you." + +So saying, he returned to the yard. Meantime, the others had dismounted, +and Wingfield, bidding Nizza Macascree go in, led the way to the barn, +where the horses were tied up, and fodder placed before them. This done, +he conducted his guests to the house, and placing cold meat, bread, and +a jug of ale before them, desired them to fall to--an injunction which +Blaize, notwithstanding his previous repast of roasted figs and pickled +walnuts, very readily complied with. While they were thus employed, Dame +Wingfield made her appearance. She said that the poor creature (meaning +Amabel) was too ill to proceed on her journey that day, and begged her +husband to allow her to stop till the next morning, when she hoped she +would be able to undertake it. + +"To-morrow morning, say you dame?" cried Wingfield; "she may stop till +the day after, and the day after that, if you desire it, or she wishes +it. Go tell her so." + +And as his wife withdrew, well pleased at having obtained her request, +Wingfield addressed himself to Leonard, and inquired the cause of +Amabel's illness; and as the apprentice saw no necessity for secresy, +and felt exceedingly grateful for the kind treatment he had experienced, +he acquainted him with the chief particulars of her history. The farmer +appeared greatly moved by the recital. + +"She resembles my poor Sarah very strongly," he said. "My daughter was +hurried into an early grave by a villain who won her affections and +betrayed her. She now lies in Willesden churchyard, but her seducer is +one of the chief favourites of our profligate monarch." + +"Do you mean the Earl of Rochester?" cried Leonard. + +"No, no," replied the farmer, whose good-natured countenance had assumed +a stern expression. "The villain I mean is worse, if possible, than the +earl. He is called Sir Paul Parravicin." + +"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Leonard, in astonishment; "what a strange +coincidence is this!" + +And he then proceeded to relate to Wingfield the persecution which Nizza +Macascree had endured from the profligate knight The farmer listened to +his recital with breathless interest, and when it was ended arose, and, +taking a hasty turn round the room, halted at the table and struck it +forcibly with his clenched hand. + +"I hope that man will never cross my path," he said, all the blood +mounting to his face, and his eye kindling with fury. "As God shall +judge me, I will kill him if I meet him." + +"Then I hope you never will meet him," observed Leonard. "He has injured +you enough already, without putting you out of the pale of Divine +mercy." + +"These rascals have done us all an injury," observed Blaize. "Patience +has never been like herself since Major Pillichody entered my master's +dwelling, and made love to her. I feel quite uneasy to think how the +little hussy will go on during my absence. She can't get out of the +house, that's one comfort." + +"You have mentioned another wretch, who was constantly with Sir Paul," +cried Wingfield. "Perdition seize them!" + +"Ay, perdition seize them!" echoed Blaize, striking the table in his +turn--"especially Major Pillichody." + +"Did you ever suspect Sir Paul to be of higher rank than he pretends?" +asked Leonard. + +"No," rejoined Wingfield; "what motive have you for the question?" + +Leonard then told him of the inquiries instituted by Doctor Hodges +relative to Nizza's retreat, and how they had been baffled. "It is +strange," he continued, "that Nizza herself never heard the real name of +her persecutor; neither can she tell where the house to which she was +conveyed, when in a fainting condition, and from which she was removed +when attacked with the plague, is situated." + +"It is strange indeed," observed the farmer, musingly. + +Soon after this, Nizza Macascree made her appearance, and informed them +that Amabel had fallen into a tranquil slumber, which, in all +probability, would completely renovate her. + +"I hope it will," said Wingfield. "But I shall not part with her +to-day." + +He then entered into conversation with Nizza, and after a little time, +proposed to her and Leonard to walk across the fields with him to +Willesden, to visit his daughter's grave. + +"My wife will take charge of Amabel," he said; "you may safely trust her +in her hands." + +Leonard could raise no objection, except the possibility that the Earl +of Rochester and his companions might discover their retreat, and carry +off Amabel in his absence; but, after a little reflection, considering +this altogether unlikely, he assented, and they set out. A pleasant walk +across the fields brought them to the pretty little village of Willesden +and its old and beautiful church. They proceeded to the grave of poor +Sarah Wingfield, which lay at the east of the church, beneath one of the +tall elms, and Nizza, as she stood by the rounded sod covering the +remains of the unfortunate girl, could not restrain her tears. + +"This might have been my own fate," she said. "What an escape I have +had!" + +"I did not bring you here to read you a lesson," said Wingfield, in a +tone of deep emotion, "but because you, who know the temptation to which +the poor creature who lies there was exposed, will pity her. Not alone +did remorse for her conduct prey upon her spirits--not alone did she +suffer from self-reproach,--but the scoffs and jeers of her sex, who +never forgive an erring sister, broke her heart. She is now, however, +beyond the reach of human malice, and, I trust, at peace." + +As he said this, he walked away to hide his emotion, and presently +afterwards rejoining them, they quitted the churchyard together. + +As they recrossed the fields, Wingfield observed two men digging a hole +in the ground, and, guessing their object, paused for a few minutes to +watch them. Having thrown out the earth to the depth of a couple of +feet, one of them took a long hooked pole, and attaching it to the body +of a victim to the pestilence, who had wandered into the fields and died +there, dragged it towards the pit. As soon as the corpse was pushed into +its narrow receptacle, the clay was shovelled over it, and trodden down. + +"This is a sad mode of burial for a Christian," observed Wingfield. "But +it would not do to leave an infected body to rot in the fields, and +spread the contagion." + +"Such a grave is better than the plague-pit," rejoined Leonard, +recalling the frightful scenes he had witnessed there. + +On reaching Wingfield's dwelling, they found from the good dame, that +Amabel had awakened from her slumber greatly refreshed; but she gave it +as her opinion that she had better remain undisturbed. Accordingly, no +one went into the room to her except Nizza Macascree. A substantial +dinner was provided for his guests by the hospitable farmer; and Blaize, +who had been for some time confined to salt provisions at his master's +house, did ample justice to the fresh meat and vegetables. + +The meal over, Leonard, who felt exceedingly curious to learn what had +become of the mysterious stranger whose child he had carried to the +plague-pit, and who had appeared so strangely interested in Nizza +Macascree, determined to walk to the pest-house in Finsbury Fields and +inquire after him. On communicating his intention to his host, Wingfield +would have dissuaded him; but as Leonard affirmed he had no fear of +infection, he desisted from the attempt. Just as the apprentice was +starting, Blaize came up to him, and said,--"Leonard, I have a great +curiosity to see a pest-house, and should like to go with you, if you +will let me." + +The apprentice stared at him in astonishment. + +"You will never dare to enter it," he said. + +"I will go wherever you go," replied the porter, with a confidence +mainly inspired by the hospitable farmer's strong ale. + +"We shall see," replied Leonard. "I shall keep you to your word." + +In less than an hour they reached Marylebone Fields (now the Regent's +Park), and, crossing them, entered a lane, running in pretty nearly the +same direction as the present New-road. It Drought them to Clerkenwell, +whence they proceeded to Finsbury Fields, and soon came in sight of the +pest-house. When Blaize found himself so near this dreaded asylum, all +his courage vanished. + +"I would certainly enter the pest-house with you," he said to Leonard, +"but I have used up all my vinegar, and you know I lost my box of +rufuses and the pot of anti-pestilential confection this morning." + +"That excuse shall not serve your turn," replied Leonard. "You can get +plenty of vinegar and plague medicine in the pest-house." + +"But I have no money to pay for them," rejoined Blaize. + +"I will lend you some," said Leonard, placing a few pieces in his hand. +"Now, come along." + +Blaize would fain have run away, but, afraid of incurring the +apprentice's anger, he walked tremblingly after him. They entered the +garden-gate, and soon reached the principal door, which, as usual, stood +open. Scarcely able to support himself, the porter tottered into the +large room; but as he cast his eyes around, and beheld the miserable +occupants of the pallets, and heard their cries and groans, he was so +scared that he could not move another step, but stood like one +transfixed with terror. Paying little attention to him, Leonard walked +forward, and at the further extremity of the chamber found the young +chirurgeon whom he had formerly seen, and describing the stranger, +inquired where he was placed. + +"The person you allude to has been removed," returned the chirurgeon. +"Doctor Hodges visited him this morning, and had him conveyed to his own +dwelling." + +"Was he sensible at the time?" asked the apprentice. + +"I think not," replied the chirurgeon; "but the doctor appeared to +recognise in him an old friend, though I did not hear him mention his +name; and it was on that account, I conclude, that he had him removed." + +"Is he likely to recover?" asked Leonard, whose curiosity was aroused by +what he heard. + +"That is impossible to say," replied the young man. "But he cannot be in +better hands than those of Doctor Hodges." + +Leonard perfectly concurred with him, and, after a few minutes' further +conversation, turned to depart. Not seeing Blaize, he concluded he had +gone forth, and expected to find him in the garden, or, at all events, +in the field adjoining. But he was nowhere to be seen. While wondering +what had become of him, Leonard heard a loud cry, in the voice of the +porter, issuing from the barn, which, as has already been stated, had +been converted into a receptacle for the sick; and hurrying thither, he +found Blaize in the hands of two stout assistants, who had stripped him +of his clothes, and were tying him down to a pallet. On seeing Leonard, +Blaize implored him to deliver him from the hands of his persecutors; +and the apprentice assuring the assistants that the poor fellow was +perfectly free from infection, they liberated him. + +It appeared, on inquiry, that Blaize had fallen against one of the +pallets in a state almost of insensibility, and the two assistants, +chancing to pass at the time, and taking him for a plague patient, had +conveyed him to the barn. On reaching it, he recovered, and besought +them to set him free, but they paid no attention to his cries, and +proceeded to strip him, and bind him to the bed, as before related. + +Thus released, the porter lost no time in dressing himself; and Leonard, +to allay his terrors, had a strong dose of anti-pestilential elixir +administered to him. After which, having procured him a box of rufuses, +and a phial of plague-water, Blaize shook off his apprehension, and they +set out at a brisk pace for Kensal Green. + + + + +VII. THE JOURNEY. + +Blaize was destined to experience a second fright. It has been mentioned +that the infected were sometimes seized with a rabid desire of +communicating the disorder to such as had not been attacked by it; and +as the pair were making the best of their way along the Harrow-road, a +poor lazar who was lying against the hedge-side, and had vainly implored +their assistance, suddenly started up, and with furious cries and +gestures made towards the porter. Guessing his intention, Blaize took to +his heels, and, folding himself closely pressed, broke through the hedge +on the right, and speeded across the field. In spite of the alarming +nature of the occurrence, the apprentice could not help laughing at the +unwonted agility displayed by the fat little porter, who ran so swiftly +that it appeared probable he would distance his pursuer. To prevent +mischief, however, Leonard set off after him, and was fast gaining upon +the lazar, whose strength was evidently failing, when the poor wretch +uttered a loud cry, and fell to the ground. On coming up, Leonard found +him lying with his face in the grass, and convulsed by the agonies of +death, and perceiving that all was over, hurried after the porter, whom +he found seated on a gate, at the further end of the field, solacing +himself with a draught of plague-water. + +"Oh, Leonard!" groaned the latter, "how little do we know what is for +our good! I was delighted to quit my master's house this morning, but I +now wish with, all my heart I was back again. I am afraid I shall die of +the plague after all. Pray what are the first symptoms?" + +"Pooh! pooh! don't think about it, and you will take no harm," rejoined +Leonard. "Put by your phial, and let us make the best of our way to +Farmer Wingfield's dwelling." + +Being now in sight of the farm, which, from its elevated situation, +could be distinguished at a distance of two miles in this direction, +they easily shaped their course towards it across the fields. When about +halfway up the hill, Leonard paused to look behind him. The view was +exquisite, and it was precisely the hour (just before sunset) at which +it could be seen to the greatest advantage. On the right, his gaze +wandered to the beautiful and well-wooded heights of Richmond and +Wimbledon, beyond which he could trace the long line of the Surrey +hills, while nearer he perceived Notting Hill, now covered with +habitations, but then a verdant knoll, crowned by a few trees, but +without so much as a cottage upon it. On the left stood Hampstead; at +that time a collection of pretty cottages, but wanting its present chief +ornament, the church. At the foot of the hill rich meadows, bordered +with fine hedges, interspersed with well-grown timber, spread out as far +as the eye could reach. Nothing destroyed the rural character of the +prospect; nor was there any indication of the neighbourhood of a great +city, except the lofty tower and massive body of Saint Paul's, which +appeared above the tops of the intervening trees in the distance. + +As on former occasions, when contemplating the surrounding country from +the summit of the cathedral, Leonard could not help contrasting the +beauty of the scene before him with the horrible scourge by which it was +ravaged. Never had the country looked so beautiful--never, therefore, +was the contrast so forcible; and it appeared to him like a lovely mask +hiding the hideous and ghastly features of death. Tinged by the sombre +hue of his thoughts, the whole scene changed its complexion. The smiling +landscape seemed to darken, and the cool air of evening to become hot +and noisome, as if laden with the deadly exhalations of the pestilence. +Nor did the workings of his imagination stop here. He fancied even at +this distance--nearly seven miles--that he could discern Solomon Eagle +on the summit of Saint Paul's. At first the figure looked like a small +black speck; but it gradually dilated, until it became twice the size of +the cathedral, upon the central tower of which its feet rested, while +its arms were spread abroad over the city. In its right hand the +gigantic figure held a blazing torch, and in the left a phial, from the +mouth of which a stream of dark liquid descended. So vividly did this +phantasm present itself to Leonard, that, almost convinced of its +reality, he placed his hands before his eyes for a few moments, and, on +withdrawing them, was glad to find that the delusion was occasioned by a +black cloud over the cathedral, which his distempered fancy had +converted into the colossal figure of the enthusiast. + +Blaize, who had taken the opportunity of his companion's abstraction to +sip a little more plague-water, now approached, and told him that +Wingfield was descending the hill to meet them. Rousing himself, Leonard +ran towards the farmer, who appeared delighted to see them back again, +and conducted them to his dwelling. Owing to the tender and truly +maternal attention of Dame Wingfield, Amabel was so much better that she +was able to join the party at supper, though she took no share in the +meal. Wingfield listened to the soft tones of her voice as she conversed +with his wife, and at last, unable to control his emotion, laid down his +knife and fork, and quitted the table. + +"What is the matter with your husband?" inquired Amabel of her hostess. +"I hope he is not unwell." + +"Oh! no," replied the good dame; "your voice reminds him of our +daughter, whose history I have related to you--that is all." + +"Alas!" exclaimed Amabel, with a sympathizing look, "I will be silent, +if it pains him to hear me speak." + +"On no account," rejoined Dame Wingfield. "The tears he has shed will +relieve him. He could not weep when poor Sarah died, and I feared his +heart would break. Talk to him as you have talked to me, and you will do +him a world of good." + +Shortly afterwards, the farmer returned to the table, and the meal +proceeded to its close without further interruption. As soon as the +board was cleared, Wingfield took a chair by Amabel, who, in compliance +with his wife's request, spoke to him about his daughter, and in terms +calculated to afford him consolation. Leonard was enraptured by her +discourse, and put so little constraint upon his admiration, that Nizza +Macascree could not repress a pang of jealousy. As to Blaize, who had +eaten as much as he could cram, and emptied a large jug of the farmer's +stout ale, he took his chair to a corner, and speedily fell asleep; his +hoarse but tranquil breathing proving that the alarms he had undergone +during the day did not haunt his slumbers. Before separating for the +night, Amabel entreated that prayers might be said, and her request +being readily granted, she was about to retire with Nizza, when +Wingfield detained them. + +"I have been thinking that I might offer you a safe asylum here," he +said. "If you like it, you shall remain with us till your health is +fully reinstated." + +"I thank you most kindly for the offer," returned Amabel, gratefully; +"and if I do not accept it, it is neither because I should not esteem +myself safe here, nor because I am unwilling to be indebted to your +hospitality, but that I have been specially advised, as my last chance +of recovery, to try the air of Berkshire. I have little hope myself, but +I owe it to those who love me to make the experiment." + +"If such is the case," returned the farmer, "I will not attempt to +persuade you further. But if at any future time you should need change +of air, my house shall be entirely at your service." + +Dame Wingfield warmly seconded her husband's wish, and, with renewed +thanks, Amabel and her companion withdrew. As there was not sufficient +room for their accommodation within the house, Leonard and the porter +took up their quarters in the barn, and, throwing themselves upon a heap +of straw, slept soundly till three o'clock, when they arose and began to +prepare for their journey. Wingfield was likewise astir, and, after +assisting them to feed and dress their horses, took them into the house, +where a plentiful breakfast awaited them. At the close of the meal, +Amabel and Nizza, who had breakfasted in their own room, made their +appearance. All being in readiness for their departure, Dame Wingfield +took leave of her guests with tears in her eyes, and the honest farmer +was little less affected. Both gazed after them as long as they +continued in sight. + +Having ascertained from Wingfield the route they ought to pursue, +Leonard proceeded about a quarter of a mile along the Harrow-road, and +then turned off on the left into a common, which brought them to Acton, +from whence they threaded a devious lane to Brentford. Here they +encountered several fugitives from the great city, and, as they +approached Hounslow, learned from other wayfarers that a band of +highwaymen, by whom the heath was infested, had become more than usually +daring since the outbreak of the pestilence, and claimed a heavy tax +from all travellers. This was bad news to Leonard, who became +apprehensive for the safety of the bag of gold given to Nizza by the +enthusiast, and he would have taken another road if it had been +practicable; but as there was no alternative except to proceed, he put +all the money he had about him into a leathern purse, trusting that the +highwaymen, if they attacked them, would be content with this booty. + +When about halfway across the vast heath, which spread around them, in a +wild but not unpicturesque expanse, for many miles on either side, +Leonard perceived a band of horsemen, amounting perhaps to a dozen, +galloping towards them, and, not doubting they were the robbers in +question, communicated his suspicions to his companions. Neither Amabel +nor Nizza Macascree appeared much alarmed, but Blaize was so terrified +that he could scarcely keep his seat, and was with difficulty prevented +from turning his horse's head and riding off in the opposite direction. + +By this time the highwaymen had come up. With loud oaths, two of their +number held pistols to the heads of Leonard and Blaize, and demanded +their money. The apprentice replied by drawing forth his purse, and +besought the fellow to whom he gave it not to maltreat his companion. +The man rejoined with a savage imprecation that he "would maltreat them +both if they did not instantly dismount and let him search the +saddle-bags;" and he was proceeding to drag Amabel from the saddle, when +Leonard struck him a violent blow with his heavy riding-whip, which +brought him to the ground. He was up again, however, in an instant, and +would have fired his pistol at the apprentice, if a masked individual, +who was evidently, from the richness of his attire, and the deference +paid him by the others, the captain of the band, had not interfered. + +"You are rightly served, Dick Dosset," said this person, "for your +rudeness to a lady. I will have none of my band guilty of incivility, +and if this young man had not punished you, I would have done so myself. +Pass free, my pretty damsel," he added, bowing gallantly to Amabel; "you +shall not be further molested." + +Meanwhile, Blaize exhibited the contents of his pockets to the other +highwayman, who having opened the box of rufuses and smelt at the phial +of plague-water, returned them to him with a look of disgust, and bade +him follow his companions. As Leonard was departing, the captain of the +band rode after him, and inquired whether he had heard at what hour the +king meant to leave Whitehall. + +"The court is about to adjourn to Oxford," he added, "and the king and +some of his courtiers will cross the heath to-day, when I purpose to +levy the same tax from his majesty that I do from his subjects." + +Leonard replied, that he was utterly ignorant of the king's movements; +and explaining whence he came, the captain left him. The intelligence he +had thus accidentally obtained was far from satisfactory to the +apprentice. For some distance, their road would be the same as that +about to be taken by the monarch and his attendants, amongst whom it was +not improbable Rochester might be numbered; and the possibility that the +earl might overtake them and discover Amabel filled him with uneasiness. +Concealing his alarm, however, he urged his steed to a quicker pace, and +proceeded briskly on his way, glad, at least, that he had not lost +Solomon Eagle's gift to Nizza. Amabel's weakly condition compelled them +to rest at frequent intervals, and it was not until evening was drawing +in that they descended the steep hill leading to the beautiful village +of Henley-upon-Thames, where they proposed to halt for the night. + +Crossing the bridge, they found a considerable number of the inhabitants +assembled in the main street and in the market-place, in expectation of +the king's passing through the town on his way to Oxford, intimation of +his approach having been conveyed by avant-couriers. Leonard proceeded +to the principal inn, and was fortunate enough to procure accommodation. +Having conducted Amabel and Nizza to their room, he was repairing to the +stable with Blaize to see after their steeds, when a loud blowing of +horns was heard on the bridge, succeeded by the tramp of horses and the +rattling of wheels, and the next moment four valets in splendid livery +rode up, followed by a magnificent coach. The shouts of the assemblage +proclaimed that it was the king. The cavalcade stopped before the inn, +from the yard of which six fine horses were brought and attached to the +royal carriage, in place of others which were removed. Charles was +laughing heartily, and desired his attendants, who were neither numerous +nor well-armed, to take care they were not robbed again between this +place and Oxford; "Though," added the monarch, "it is now of little +consequence, since we have nothing to lose." + +"Is it possible your majesty can have been robbed?" asked the landlord, +who stood cap in hand at the door of the carriage. + +"I'faith, man, it _is_ possible," rejoined the king. "We were stopped on +Hounslow Heath by a band of highwaymen, who carried off two large +coffers filled with gold, and would have eased us of our swords and +snuff-boxes but for the interposition of their captain, who, as we live, +is one of the politest men breathing--is he not, Rochester?" + +Leonard Holt, who was among the crowd of spectators, started at the +mention of this name, and he trembled as the earl leaned forward in +answer to the king's question. The eyes of the rivals met at this +moment, for both were within a few yards of each other, and Rochester, +whose cheek was flushed with anger, solicited the king's permission to +alight, but Charles, affirming it was getting late, would not permit +him, and as the horses were harnessed, and the drivers mounted, he +ordered them to proceed without delay. + +Inexpressibly relieved by his rival's departure, Leonard returned to the +house, and acquainted Amabel with what had occurred. Quitting Henley +betimes on the following morning, they arrived in about three hours at +Wallingford, where they halted for some time, and, then pursuing their +journey, reached Wantage at four o'clock, where they tarried for an +hour. Up to this hour, Leonard had doubted the possibility of reaching +their destination that night; but Amabel assuring him she felt no +fatigue, he determined to push on. Accordingly, having refreshed their +steeds, they set forward, and soon began to mount the beautiful downs +lying on the west of this ancient town. + +Crossing these heights, whence they obtained the most magnificent and +extensive views of the surrounding country, they reached in about +three-quarters of an hour the pretty little hamlet of Kingston Lisle. +Here they again paused at a small inn at the foot of a lofty hill, +denominated, from a curious relic kept there, the Blowing Stone. This +rocky fragment, which is still in existence, is perforated by a number +of holes, which emit, if blown into, a strange bellowing sound. Unaware +of this circumstance, Leonard entered the house with the others, and had +just seated, himself, when they were, astounded by a strange unearthly +roar. Rushing forth, Leonard found Blaize with his cheeks puffed out and +his mouth applied to the stone, into which he was blowing with all his +force, and producing the above-mentioned extraordinary noise. + +Shortly after this, the party quitted the Blowing Stone, and having +toiled up the steep sides of the hill, they were amply repaid on +reaching its summit by one of the finest views they had ever beheld. In +fact, the hill on which they stood commanded the whole of the extensive +and beautiful vale of the White Horse, which was spread out before them +as far as the eye could reach, like a vast panorama, disclosing a +thousand fields covered with abundant, though as yet immature crops. It +was a goodly prospect, and seemed to promise plenty and prosperity to +the country. Almost beneath them stood the reverend church of Uffington +overtopping the ancient village clustering round it. Numerous other +towers and spires could be seen peeping out of groves of trees, which, +together with the scattered mansions and farmhouses surrounded by +granges and stacks of hay and beans, gave interest and diversity to the +prospect. The two most prominent objects in the view were the wooded +heights of Farringdon on the one hand, and those of Abingdon on the +other. + +Proceeding along the old Roman road, still distinctly marked out, and +running along the ridge of this beautiful chain of hills, they arrived +at an immense Roman encampment, vulgarly called Uffingham Castle, +occupying the crown of a hill. A shepherd, who was tending a flock of +sheep which were browsing on the delicious herbage to be found within +the vast circular space enclosed by the inner vallum of the camp, +explained its purpose, and they could not but regard it with interest. +He informed them that they were in the neighbourhood of the famous White +Horse, a figure cut out of the turf on the hillside by the Saxons, and +visible for many miles. Conducting them to a point whence they could +survey this curious work, their guide next directed them to Ashdown +Lodge, which lay, he told them, at about four miles' distance. They had +wandered a little out of their course, but he accompanied them for a +mile, until they came in sight of a thick grove of trees clothing a +beautiful valley, above which could be seen the lofty cupola of the +mansion. + +Cheered by the sight, and invigorated by the fresh breeze blowing in +this healthful region, they pressed forward, and soon drew near the +mansion, which they found was approached by four noble avenues. They had +not advanced far, when a stalwart personage, six feet two high, and +proportionately stoutly made, issued from the covert. He had a gun over +his shoulder and was attended by a couple of fine dogs. Telling them he +was called John Lutcombe, and was the Earl of Craven's gamekeeper, he +inquired their business, and, on being informed of it, changed his surly +manner to one of great cordiality, and informed them that Mrs. +Buscot--such was the name of Amabel's aunt--was at home, and would be +heartily glad to see them. + +"I have often heard her speak of her brother, Mr. Bloundel," he said, +"and am well aware that he is an excellent man. Poor soul! she has been +very uneasy about him and his family during this awful dispensation, +though she had received a letter to say that he was about to close his +house, and hoped, under the blessing of Providence, to escape the +pestilence. His daughter will be welcome, and she cannot come to a +healthier spot than Ashdown, nor to a better nurse than Mrs. Buscot." + +With this, he led the way to the court-yard, and, entering the dwelling, +presently returned with a middle-aged woman, who Amabel instantly knew, +from the likeness to her father, must be her aunt. Mrs. Buscot caught +her in her arms, and almost smothered her with kisses. As soon as the +first transports of surprise and joy had subsided, the good housekeeper +took her niece and Nizza Macascree into the house, and desired John +Lutcombe to attend to the others. + + + + +VIII. ASHDOWN LODGE. + +Erected by Inigo Jones, and still continuing in precisely the same state +as at the period of this history, Ashdown Lodge is a large square +edifice, built in the formal French taste of the seventeenth century, +with immense casements, giving it the appearance of being all glass, a +high roof lighted by dormer windows, terminated at each angle by a tall +and not very ornamental chimney, and surmounted by a lofty and +lantern-like belvedere, crowned in its turn by a glass cupola. The +belvedere opens upon a square gallery defended by a broad balustrade, +and overlooking the umbrageous masses and lovely hills around it. The +house, as has been stated, is approached by four noble avenues, the +timber constituting which, is, of course, much finer now than at the +period under consideration, and possesses a delightful old-fashioned +garden, and stately terrace. The rooms are lofty but small, and there is +a magnificent staircase, occupying nearly half the interior of the +building. Among other portraits decorating the walls, is one of +Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James the First, and Queen of Bohemia, for +whom the first Earl of Craven entertained so romantic an attachment, and +to whom he was supposed to be privately united. Nothing can be more +secluded than the situation of the mansion, lying as it does in the +midst of a gentle valley, surrounded by a thick wood, and without having +a single habitation in view. Its chief interest, however, must always be +derived from its connection with the memory of the chivalrous and +high-souled nobleman by whom it was erected, and who made it +occasionally his retreat after the death of his presumed royal consort, +which occurred about four years previous to the date of this history. + +Amabel was delighted with her new abode, and she experienced the +kindness of a parent from her aunt, with whom, owing to circumstances, +she had not hitherto been personally acquainted, having only seen her +when too young to retain any recollection of the event. The widow of a +farmer, who had resided on Lord Craven's estate near Kingston Lisle, +Mrs. Buscot, after her husband's death, had been engaged as housekeeper +at Ashdown Lodge, and had filled the situation for many years to the +entire satisfaction of her employer. She was two or three years older +than her brother, Mr. Bloundel; but the perfect health she enjoyed, and +which she attributed to the salubrious air of the downs, combined with +her natural cheerfulness of disposition, made her look much the younger +of the two. Her features, besides their kindly and benevolent +expression, were extremely pleasing, and must, some years ago, have been +beautiful. Even now, what with her fresh complexion, her white teeth, +and plump figure, she made no slight pretensions to comeliness. She +possessed the same good sense and integrity of character as her brother, +together with his strong religious feeling, but entirely unaccompanied +by austerity. + +Having no children, she was able to bestow her entire affections upon +Amabel, whose sad story, when she became acquainted with it, painfully +affected her; nor was she less concerned at her precarious state of +health. For the first day or two after their arrival, Amabel suffered +greatly from the effects of the journey; but after that time, she gained +strength so rapidly, that Mrs. Buscot, who at first had well-nigh +despaired of her recovery, began to indulge a hope. The gentle sufferer +would sit throughout the day with her aunt and Nizza Macascree in the +gallery near the belvedere, inhaling the pure breeze blowing from the +surrounding hills, and stirring the tree-tops beneath her. + +"I never expected so much happiness," she observed, on one occasion, to +Mrs. Buscot, "and begin to experience the truth of Doctor Hodges' +assertion, that with returning health, the desire of life would return. +I now wish to live." + +"I am heartily glad to hear you say so," replied Mrs. Buscot, "and hold +it a certain sign of your speedy restoration to health. Before you have +been a month with me, I expect to bring back the roses to those pale +cheeks." + +"You are too sanguine, I fear, dear aunt," rejoined Amabel, "but the +change that has taken place in my feelings, may operate beneficially +upon my constitution." + +"No doubt of it, my dear," replied Mrs. Buscot; "no doubt." + +The good dame felt a strong inclination at this moment to introduce a +subject very near her heart, but, feeling doubtful as to its reception, +she checked herself. The devoted attachment of the apprentice to her +niece had entirely won her regard, and she fondly hoped she would be +able to wean Amabel from all thought of the Earl of Rochester, and +induce her to give her hand to her faithful lover. With this view, she +often spoke to her of Leonard--of his devotion and constancy, his good +looks and excellent qualities; and though Amabel assented to all she +said, Mrs. Buscot was sorry to perceive that the impression she desired +was not produced. It was not so with Nizza Macascree. Whenever Leonard's +name was mentioned, her eyes sparkled, her cheek glowed, and she +responded so warmly to all that was said in his praise, that Mrs. Buscot +soon found out the state of her heart. The discovery occasioned her some +little disquietude, for the worthy creature could not bear the idea of +making even her niece happy at the expense of another. + +As to the object of all this tender interest, he felt far happier than +he had done for some time. He saw Amabel every day, and noted with +unspeakable delight the gradual improvement which appeared to be taking +place in her health. The greater part of his time, however, was not +passed in her society, but in threading the intricacies of the wood, or +in rambling over the neighbouring downs; and he not only derived +pleasure from these rambles, but his health and spirits, which had been +not a little shaken by the awful scenes he had recently witnessed, were +materially improved. Here, at last, he seemed to have got rid of the +grim spectre which, for two months, had constantly haunted him. No +greater contrast can be conceived than his present quiet life offered to +the fearful excitement he had recently undergone. For hot and narrow +thoroughfares reeking with pestilential effluvia, resounding with +frightful shrieks, or piteous cries, and bearing on every side marks of +the destructive progress of the scourge--for these terrible sights and +sounds--for the charnel horrors of the plague-pit--the scarcely less +revolting scenes at the pest-house--the dismal bell announcing the +dead-cart--the doleful cries of the buriers--for graves surfeited with +corruption, and streets filled with the dying and the dead--and, above +all, for the ever-haunting expectation that a like fate might be his +own,--he had exchanged green hills, fresh breezes, spreading views, the +song of the lark, and a thousand other delights, and assurances of +health and contentment. Often, as he gazed from the ridge of the downs +into the wide-spread vale beneath, he wondered whether the destroying +angel had smitten any of its peaceful habitations, and breathed a prayer +for their preservation! + +But the satisfaction he derived from having quitted the infected city +was trifling compared with that of Blaize, whose sole anxiety was lest +he should be sent back to London. Seldom straying further than the gates +of the mansion, though often invited by John Lutcombe to accompany him +to some of the neighbouring villages; having little to do, and less to +think of, unless to calculate how much he could consume at the next +meal,--for he had banished all idea of the plague,--he conceived himself +at the summit of happiness, and waxed so sleek and round, that his face +shone like a full moon, while his doublet would scarcely meet around his +waist. + +One day, about a fortnight after their arrival, and when things were in +this happy state, Amabel, who was seated as usual in the gallery at the +summit of the house, observed a troop of horsemen, very gallantly +equipped, appear at the further end of the northern avenue. An +inexpressible terror seized her, and she would have fled into the house, +but her limbs refused their office. + +"Look there!" she cried to Nizza, who, at that moment, presented herself +at the glass door. "Look there!" she said, pointing to the cavalcade; +"what I dreaded has come to pass. The Earl of Rochester has found me +out, and is coming hither to carry me off. But I will die rather than +accompany him." + +"You may be mistaken," replied Nizza, expressing a hopefulness, which +her looks belied; "it may be the Earl of Craven." + +"You give me new life," rejoined Amabel; "but no--no--my aunt has told +me that the good earl will not quit the city during the continuance of +the plague. And see! some of the horsemen have distinguished us, and are +waving their hats. My heart tells me the Earl of Rochester is amongst +them. Give me your arm, Nizza, and I will try to gain some place of +concealment." + +"Ay, let us fly," replied the other, assisting her towards the door; "I +am in equal danger with yourself, for Sir Paul Parravicin is doubtless +with them. Oh! where--where is Leonard?" + +"He must be below," cried Amabel "But he could not aid us at this +juncture; we must depend upon ourselves." + +Descending a short staircase, they entered Amabel's chamber, and +fastening the door, awaited with breathless anxiety the arrival of the +horsemen. Though the room whither they had retreated was in the upper +part of the house, they could distinctly hear what was going on below, +and shortly afterwards the sound of footsteps on the stairs, blended +with merry voices and loud laughter--amid which, Amabel could +distinguish the tones of the Earl of Rochester--reached them. + +While both were palpitating with fright, the handle of the door was +tried, and a voice announced that the apprentice was without. + +"All is lost!" he cried, speaking through the keyhole; "the king is +here, and is accompanied by the Earl of Rochester and other +profligates." + +"The king!" exclaimed Amabel, joyfully; "then I am no longer +apprehensive." + +"As yet, no inquiries have been made after you," continued Leonard, +unconscious of the effect produced by his intelligence, "but it is +evident they know you are here. Be prepared, therefore." + +"I _am_ prepared," rejoined Amabel. And as she spoke, she threw open the +door and admitted Leonard. "Do not stay with us," she added to him. "In +case of need, I will throw myself on his majesty's protection." + +"It will avail you little," rejoined Leonard, distrustfully. + +"I do not think so," said Amabel, confidently. "I have faith in his +acknowledged kindness of heart." + +"Perhaps you are right," returned Leonard. "Mrs. Buscot is at present +with his majesty in the receiving-room. Will you not make fast your +door?" + +"No," replied Amabel, firmly; "if the king will not defend me, I will +defend myself." + +Leonard glanced at her with admiration, but he said nothing. + +"Is Sir Paul Parravicin here?" asked Nizza Macascree, with great +anxiety. + +"I have not seen him," replied Leonard; "and I have carefully examined +the countenances of all the king's attendants." + +"Heaven be praised!" exclaimed Nizza. + +At this juncture, Mrs. Buscot entered the room. Her looks bespoke great +agitation, and she trembled violently. + +"You have no doubt heard from Leonard that the king and his courtiers +are below," she said. "His majesty inquired whether you were here, and I +did not dare to deceive him. He desires to see you, and has sent me for +you. What is to be done?" she added, with a look of distraction. "I +suppose you must obey." + +"There is no alternative," replied Amabel; "I will obey his majesty's +commands as soon as I can collect myself. Take back that answer, dear +aunt." + +"Has Leonard told you that the Earl of Rochester is here?" pursued Mrs. +Buscot. + +Amabel replied in the affirmative. + +"God grant that good may come of it!" cried Mrs. Buscot, clasping her +hands together, as she quitted the room; "but I am sorely afraid." + +A half-suppressed groan from the apprentice told that he shared in her +apprehensions. + +"Leave us, Leonard," said Amabel; "I would prepare myself for the +interview." + +The apprentice obeyed, and closing the door after him, stationed himself +at the foot of the staircase. Left alone with Nizza, Amabel threw +herself on her knees, and besought the support of Heaven on this trying +occasion. She then arose, and giving her hand to Nizza, they went down +stairs together. Leonard followed them at a little distance, and with a +beating heart. Two gentlemen-ushers were posted, at the door of the +chamber occupied by the king. Not far from them stood Mrs. Buscot, who, +having made known her niece to the officials, they instantly admitted +her, but ordered Nizza to remain outside. + +On entering the room, Amabel at once discovered the king. He was habited +in a magnificent riding-dress and was seated on a rich fauteuil, around +which were grouped a dozen gaily-attired courtiers. Amongst these were +the Earl of Rochester and Sir George Etherege. As Amabel advanced, +glances of insolent curiosity were directed towards her, and Rochester, +stepping forward, offered to lead her to the king. She, however, +declined the attention. Greatly mortified, the earl would have seized +her hand; but there was so much dignity in her deportment, so much +coldness in her looks, that in spite of his effrontery, he felt abashed. +Charles smiled at his favourite's rebuff, but, in common with the +others, he could not help being struck by Amabel's extraordinary beauty +and natural dignity, and he observed, in an under-tone, to Etherege, "Is +it possible this can be a grocer's daughter?" + +"She passes for such, my liege," replied Etherege, with a smile. "But I +cannot swear to her parentage." + +"Since I have seen her, I do not wonder at Rochester's extravagant +passion," rejoined the monarch. "But, odds fish! she seems to care +little for him." + +Having approached within a short distance of the king, Amabel would have +prostrated herself before him, but he prevented her. + +"Nay, do not kneel, sweetheart," he said, "I am fully satisfied of your +loyalty, and never exact homage from one of your sex, but, on the +contrary, am ever ready to pay it. I have heard much of your +attractions, and, what is seldom the case in such matters, find they +have not been overrated. The brightest of our court beauties cannot +compare with you." + +"A moment ago, the fair Amabel might be said to lack bloom," observed +Etherege; "but your majesty's praises have called a glowing colour to +her cheek." + +"Would you deign to grant me a moment's hearing, my liege?" said Amabel, +looking steadfastly at the king. + +"Not a moment's hearing merely, sweetheart," returned Charles; "but an +hour's, if you list. I could dwell on the music of your tones for ever." + +"I thank your majesty for your condescension," she replied; "but I will +not long trespass on your patience. What I have to say concerns the Earl +of Rochester." + +"Stand forward, my lord," said Charles to the earl, "and let us hear +what complaint is to be made against you." + +Rochester advanced, and threw a passionate and half-reproachful glance +at Amabel. + +"It may be improper for me to trouble your majesty on so light a +matter," said Amabel; "but your kindness emboldens me to speak +unreservedly. You may be aware that this nobleman once entertained, or +feigned to entertain, an ardent attachment to me." + +"I need scarcely assure you, my liege," interposed Rochester, "that it +was no feigned passion. And it is needless to add, that however ardently +I felt towards my fair accuser then, my passion has in nowise abated." + +"I should wonder if it had," rejoined Charles, gallantly. "I will not +contradict you, my lord," said Amabel; "it _is_ possible you may have +loved me, though I find it difficult to reconcile your professions of +regard with your conduct--but this is not to the purpose. Whether you +loved me or not, I loved _you_--deeply and devotedly. There is no +sacrifice I would not have made for him," she continued, turning to the +king, "and influenced by these feelings, and deluded by false promises, +I forgot my duty, and was rash enough to quit my home with him." + +"All this I have heard, sweetheart," replied Charles. "There is nothing +very remarkable in it. It is the ordinary course of such affairs. I am +happy to be the means of restoring your lover to you, and, in fact, came +hither for that very purpose." + +"You mistake me, my liege," replied Amabel. "I do not desire to have him +restored to me. Fortunately for myself, I have succeeded in mastering my +love for him. The struggle has well-nigh cost me my life--but I _have_ +conquered." + +"I have yet to learn, sweetheart," observed Charles, with an incredulous +look, "that woman's love, if deeply fixed, _can_ be subdued." + +"If I had not been supported by religion, my liege, I could _not_ have +subdued it," rejoined Amabel "Night and day, I have passed in +supplicating the Great Power that implanted this fatal passion in my +breast, and, at length, my prayers have prevailed." + +"Aha! we have a devotee here!" thought Charles. "Am I to understand, +fair saint, that you would reject the earl, if he were to offer you his +hand?" he asked. + +"Unquestionably," replied Amabel, firmly. + +"This is strange," muttered Charles. "The girl is evidently in earnest. +What says your lordship?" he added to Rochester. + +"That she shall be mine, whether she loves me or not," replied the earl. +"My pride is piqued to the conquest." + +"No wonder!--the resistless Rochester flouted by a grocer's daughter. +Ha! ha!" observed Charles, laughing, while the rest of the courtiers +joined in his merriment. + +"Oh! sire," exclaimed Amabel, throwing herself at the king's feet, and +bursting into tears, "do not abandon me, I beseech you. I cannot requite +the earl's attachment--and shall die if he continues his pursuit. +Command him--oh! command him to desist." + +"I fear you have not dealt fairly with me, sweetheart," said the king. +"There is a well-favoured youth without, whom the earl pointed out as +your father's apprentice. Have you transferred your affections to him?" + +"Your majesty has solved the enigma," observed Rochester, bitterly. + +"You wrong me, my lord," replied Amabel. "Leonard Holt is without. Let +him be brought into the royal presence and interrogated; and if he will +affirm that I have given him the slightest encouragement by look or +word, or even state that he himself indulges a hope of holding a place +in my regards, I will admit there is some foundation for the charge. I +pray your majesty to send for him." + +"It is needless," replied Charles, coldly. "I do not doubt your +assertion. But you will do the earl an injustice as well as yourself, if +you do not allow him a fair hearing." + +"If you will allow me five minutes alone with you, Amabel, or will take +a single turn with me on the terrace, I will engage to remove every +doubt," insinuated Rochester. + +"You would fail to do so, my lord," replied Amabel. "The time is gone by +when those accents, once so winning in my ear, can move me." + +"At least give me the opportunity," implored the earl. + +"No," replied Amabel, decidedly, "I will never willingly meet you more; +for though I am firm in my purpose, I do not think it right to expose +myself to temptation. And now that I have put your majesty in full +possession of my sentiments," she added to the king; "now that I have +told you with what bitter tears I have striven to wash out my error,--I +implore you to extend your protecting hand towards me, and to save me +from further persecution on the part of the earl." + +"I shall remain at this place to-night," returned Charles. "Take till +to-morrow to consider of it, and if you continue in the same mind, your +request shall be granted." + +"At least, enjoin the earl to leave me unmolested till then," cried +Amabel. + +"Hum!" exclaimed the king, exchanging a look with Rochester. + +"For pity, sire, do not hesitate," cried Amabel, in a tone of such agony +that the good-natured monarch could not resist it. + +"Well, well," he rejoined; "it shall be as you desire. Rochester, you +have heard our promise, and will act in conformity with it." + +The earl bowed carelessly. + +"Nay, nay, my lord," pursued Charles, authoritatively, "my commands +_shall_ be obeyed, and if you purpose otherwise, I will place you under +restraint." + +"Your majesty's wishes are sufficient restraint," rejoined Rochester; "I +am all obedience." + +"It is well," replied Charles. "Are you satisfied, fair damsel?" + +"Perfectly," replied Amabel. And making a profound and grateful +reverence to the king, she retired. + +Nizza Macascree met her at the door, and it was fortunate she did so, or +Amabel, whose strength began to fail her, would otherwise have fallen. +While she was thus engaged, Charles caught sight of the piper's +daughter, and being greatly struck by her beauty, inquired her name. + +"Odds fish!" he exclaimed, when informed of it by Rochester, "a piper's +daughter! She is far more beautiful than your mistress." + +"If I procure her for your majesty, will you withdraw your interdiction +from me?" rejoined the earl. + +"No--no--that is impossible, after the pledge I have given," replied +Charles. "But you must bring this lovely creature to me anon. I am +enchanted with her, and do not regret this long ride, since it has +brought her under my notice." + +"Your majesty's wishes shall be obeyed," said Rochester. "I will not +wait till to-morrow for an interview with Amabel," he added to himself. + +Supported by Nizza Macascree and her aunt, and followed by Leonard, +Amabel contrived to reach her own chamber, and as soon as she was +sufficiently recovered from the agitation she had experienced, detailed +to them all that had passed in her interview with the king. While the +party were consulting together as to the course to be pursued in this +emergency, the tap of a wand was heard at the door, and the summons +being answered by Mrs. Buscot, she found one of the ushers without, who +informed her it was the king's pleasure that no one should leave the +house till the following day, without his permission. + +"To insure obedience to his orders," continued the usher, "his majesty +requires that the keys of the stables be delivered to the keeping of his +chief page, Mr. Chiffinch, who has orders, together with myself, to keep +watch during the night." + +So saying, he bowed and retired, while Mrs. Buscot returned with this +new and alarming piece of intelligence to the others. + +"Why should the mandate be respected?" cried Leonard, indignantly. "We +have committed no crime, and ought not to be detained prisoners. Trust +to me, and I will find some means of eluding their vigilance. If you +will remain here to-morrow," he added to Amabel, "you are lost." + +"Do not expect any rational advice from me, my dear niece," observed +Mrs. Buscot, "for I am fairly bewildered." + +"Shall I not forfeit the king's protection by disobeying his +injunctions?" replied Amabel. "I am safer here than if I were to seek a +new asylum, which would be speedily discovered." + +"Heaven grant you may not have cause to repent your decision!" cried +Leonard, despondingly. + +"I must now, perforce, quit you, my dear niece," said Mrs. Buscot, +"though it breaks my heart to do so. His majesty's arrival has thrown +everything into confusion, and if I do not look after the supper, which +is commanded at an early hour, it will never be ready. As it is, there +will be nothing fit to set before him. What with my distress about you, +and my anxiety about the royal repast, I am well-nigh beside myself." + +With this, she quitted the room, and Amabel signifying to Leonard that +she desired to be left alone with Nizza Macascree, he departed at the +same time. + +As Mrs. Buscot had stated, the utmost confusion prevailed below. The +royal purveyor and cook, who formed part of the king's suite, were +busily employed in the kitchen, and though they had the whole household +at their command, they made rather slow progress at first, owing to the +want of materials. In a short time, however, this difficulty was +remedied. Ducks were slaughtered by the dozen; fowls by the score, and a +couple of fat geese shared the same fate. The store ponds were visited +for fish by John Lutcombe; and as the country abounded with game, a +large supply of pheasants, partridges, and rabbits was speedily procured +by the keeper and his assistants. Amongst others, Blaize lent a +helping-hand in this devastation of the poultry-yard, and he had just +returned to the kitchen, and commenced plucking one of the geese, when +he was aroused by a slap on the shoulder, and looking up, beheld +Pillichody. + +"What ho! my little Blaize, my physic-taking porter," cried the bully; +"how wags the world with you? And how is my pretty Patience? How is that +peerless kitchen-maiden? By the god of love! I am dying to behold her +again." + +"Patience is well enough, for aught I know," replied Blaize, in a surly +tone. "But it is useless for you to think of her. She is betrothed to +me." + +"I know it," replied Pillichody; "but do not suppose you are the sole +master of her affections. The little charmer has too good taste for +that. 'Blaize,' said she to me, 'will do very well for a husband, but he +cannot expect me to continue faithful to him.'" + +"Cannot I?" exclaimed the porter reddening. "Fiends take her! but I do! +When did she say this?" + +"When I last visited your master's house," replied Pillichody. "Sweet +soul! I shall never forget her tender looks, nor the kisses she allowed +me to snatch from her honeyed lips when your back was turned. The very +recollection of them is enchanting." + +"Zounds and fury!" cried Blaize, transported with rage. "If I am only a +porter, while you pretend to be a major, I will let you see I am the +better man of the two." And taking the goose by the neck, he swung it +round his head like a flail, and began to batter Pillichody about the +face with it. + +"S'death!" cried the bully, endeavouring to draw his sword, "if you do +not instantly desist, I will treat you like that accursed bird--cut your +throat, pluck, stuff, roast, and eat you afterwards." He was, however, +so confounded by the attack, that he could offer no resistance, and in +retreating, caught his foot against the leg of a table, and fell +backwards on the floor. Being now completely at the porter's mercy, and +seeing that the latter was preparing to pursue his advantage with a +rolling-pin which he had snatched from the dresser, he besought him +piteously to spare him. + +"Recant all you have said," cried Blaize, brandishing the rolling-pin +over him. "Confess that you have calumniated Patience. Confess that she +rejected your advances, if you ever dared to make any to her. Confess +that she is a model of purity and constancy. Confess all this, villain, +or I will break every bone in your body." + +"I do confess it," replied Pillichody, abjectly. "She is all you +describe. She never allowed me greater freedom than a squeeze of the +hand." + +"That was too much," replied the porter, belabouring him with the +rolling-pin. "Swear that you will never attempt such a liberty again, or +I will pummel you to death. Swear it." + +"I swear," replied Pillichody. + +"Before I allow you to rise, I must disarm you to prevent mischief," +cried Blaize. And kneeling down upon the prostrate bully, who groaned +aloud, he drew his long blade from his side. "There, now you may get +up," he added. + +So elated was Blaize with his conquest, that he could do nothing for +some time but strut up and down the kitchen with the sword over his +shoulder, to the infinite diversion of the other domestics, and +especially of John Lutcombe, who chanced to make his appearance at the +time, laden with a fresh supply of game. + +"Why, Blaize, man," cried the keeper, approvingly, "I did not give you +credit for half so much spirit." + +"No man's courage is duly appreciated until it has been tried," rejoined +Blaize. "I would combat with you, gigantic John, if Patience's fidelity +were called in question." + +Pillichody, meanwhile, had retired with a discomfited air into a corner, +where he seated himself on a stool, and eyed the porter askance, as if +meditating some terrible retaliation. Secretly apprehensive of this, and +thinking it becoming to act with generosity towards his foe, Blaize +marched up to him, and extended his hand in token of reconciliation. To +the surprise of all, Pillichody did not reject his overtures. + +"I have a great regard for you, friend Blaize," he said, "otherwise I +should never rest till I had been repaid with terrible interest for the +indignities I have endured." + +"Nay, heed them not," replied Blaize. "You must make allowances for the +jealous feelings you excited. I love Patience better than my life." + +"Since you put it in that light," rejoined Pillichody, "I am willing to +overlook the offence. Snakes and scorpions! no man can be a greater +martyr to jealousy than myself. I killed three of my most intimate +friends for merely presuming to ogle the widow of Watling-street, who +would have been mine, if she had not died of the plague." + +"Don't talk of the plague, I beseech you," replied Blaize, with a +shudder. "It is a subject never mentioned here." + +"I am sorry I alluded to it, then," rejoined Pillichody. "Give me back +my sword. Nay, fear nothing. I entirely forgive you, and am willing to +drown the remembrance of our quarrel in a bottle of sack." + +Readily assenting to the proposition, Blaize obtained the key of the +cellar from the butler, and adjourning thither with Pillichody, they +seated themselves on a cask with a bottle of sack and a couple of large +glasses on a stool between them. + +"I suppose you know why I am come hither?" observed the major, smacking +his lips after his second bumper. + +"Not precisely," replied Blaize. "But I presume your visit has some +reference to Mistress Amabel." + +"A shrewd guess," rejoined Pillichody. "And this reminds me that we have +omitted to drink her health." + +"Her better health," returned Blaize, emptying his glass. "Heaven be +praised! she has plucked up a little since we came here." + +"She would soon be herself again if she were united to the Earl of +Rochester," said Pillichody. + +"There you are wrong," replied Blaize. "She declares she has no longer +any regard for him." + +"Mere caprice, believe me," rejoined Pillichody. "She loves him better +than ever." + +"It may be so," returned Blaize; "for Patience, who ought to know +something of the matter, assured me she was dying for the earl; and if +she had not told me the contrary herself, I should not have believed +it." + +"Did she tell you so in the presence of Leonard?" asked Pillichody. + +"Why, now I bethink me, he _was_ present," replied Blaize, involuntarily +putting his hand to his shoulder, as he recalled the horsewhipping he +had received on that occasion. + +"I knew it!" cried Pillichody. "She is afraid to confess her attachment +to the earl. Is Leonard as much devoted to her as ever?" + +"I fancy so," replied Blaize, "but she certainly gives _him_ no +encouragement." + +"Confirmation!" exclaimed Pillichody. "But fill your glass. We will +drink to the earl's speedy union with Amabel." + +"Not so loud," cried Blaize, looking uneasily round the cellar. "I +should not like Leonard to overhear us." + +"Neither should I," returned Pillichody, "for I have something to say to +you respecting him." + +"You need not propose any more plans for carrying off Amabel," cried +Blaize, "for I won't take any part in them." + +"I have no such intention," rejoined Pillichody. "The truth is," he +added, mysteriously, "I am inclined to side with you and Leonard. But as +we have finished our bottle, suppose we take a turn in the court-yard." + +"With all my heart," replied Blaize. + +Immediately after Amabel's departure Charles proceeded with his +courtiers to the garden, and continued to saunter up and down the +terrace for some time, during which he engaged Rochester in +conversation, so as to give him no pretext for absenting himself. The +king next ascended to the belvedere, and having surveyed the prospect +from it, was about to descend when he caught a glimpse of Nizza +Macascree on the great staircase, and instantly flew towards her. + +"I must have a word with you, sweetheart," he cried, taking her hand, +which she did not dare to withdraw. + +Ready to sink with confusion, Nizza suffered herself to be led towards +the receiving-room. Motioning to the courtiers to remain without, +Charles entered it with his blushing companion, and after putting +several questions to her, which she answered with great timidity and +modesty, inquired into the state of her heart. + +"Answer me frankly," he said. "Are your affections engaged?" + +"Since your majesty deigns to interest yourself so much about me," +replied Nizza, "I will use no disguise. They are." + +"To whom?" demanded the king. + +"To Leonard Holt," was the answer. + +"What! the apprentice who brought Amabel hither!" cried the king. "Why, +the Earl of Rochester seemed to intimate that he was in love with +Amabel. Is it so?" + +"I cannot deny it," replied Nizza, hanging down her head. + +"If this is the case, it is incumbent on me to provide you with a new +lover," replied Charles. "What will you say, sweetheart, if I tell you, +you have made a royal conquest?" + +"I should tremble to hear it," replied Nizza. "But your majesty is +jesting with me." + +"On my soul, no!" rejoined the king, passionately. "I have never seen +beauty equal to yours, sweetheart--never have been so suddenly, so +completely captivated before." + +"Oh! do not use this language towards me, my liege," replied Nizza, +dropping on her knee before him. "I am unworthy your notice. My heart is +entirely given to Leonard Holt." + +"You will speedily forget him in the brilliant destiny which awaits you, +child," returned Charles, raising her. "Do not bestow another thought on +the senseless dolt who can prefer Amabel's sickly charms to your piquant +attractions. By Heaven! you shall be mine." + +"Never!" exclaimed Nizza, extricating herself from his grasp, and +rushing towards the door. + +"You fly in vain," cried the king, laughingly pursuing her. + +As he spoke the door opened, and Sir Paul Parravicin entered the room. +The knight started on seeing how matters stood, and the king looked +surprised and angry. Taking advantage of their embarrassment, Nizza made +good her retreat, and hurrying to Amabel's chamber, closed and bolted +the door. + +"What is the matter?" cried Amabel, startled by her agitated appearance. + +"Sir Paul Parravicin is here," replied Nizza. "I have seen him. But that +is not all. I am unlucky enough to have attracted the king's fancy. He +has terrified me with his proposals." + +"Our persecution is never to end," rejoined Amabel; "you are as +unfortunate as myself." + +"And there is no possibility of escape," returned Nizza, bursting into +tears; "we are snared like birds in the nets of the fowler." + +"You can fly with Leonard if you choose," replied Amabel. + +"And leave you--impossible!" rejoined Nizza. + +"There is nothing for it, then, but resignation," returned Amabel. "Let +us put a firm trust in Heaven, and no ill can befall us." + +After passing several hours of the greatest disquietude, they were about +to retire to rest, when Mrs. Buscot tapped at the door, and making +herself known, was instantly admitted. + +"Alas!" she cried, clasping her niece round the neck, "I tremble to tell +you what I have heard. Despite the king's injunctions, the wicked Earl +of Rochester is determined to see you before morning, and to force you +to compliance with his wishes. You must fly as soon as it is dark." + +"But how am I to fly, dear aunt?" rejoined Amabel. "You yourself know +that the keys of the stable are taken away, and that two of the king's +attendants will remain on the watch all night. How will it be possible +to elude their vigilance?" + +"Leave Leonard to manage it," replied Mrs. Buscot. "Only prepare to set +out. John Lutcombe will guide you across the downs to Kingston Lisle, +where good Mrs. Compton will take care of you, and when the danger is +over you can return to me." + +"It is a hazardous expedient," rejoined Amabel, "and I would rather run +all risks, and remain here. If the earl should resort to violence, I can +appeal to the king for protection." + +"If you have any regard for me, fly," cried Nizza Macascree. "I am lost +if I remain here till to-morrow." + +"For _your_ sake I will go, then," returned Amabel. "But I have a +foreboding that I am running into the teeth of danger." + +"Oh! say not so," rejoined Mrs. Buscot. "I am persuaded it is for the +best. I must leave you now, but I will send Leonard to you." + +"It is needless," replied Amabel. "Let him come to us at the proper +time. We will be ready." + +To explain the cause of Mrs. Buscot's alarm, it will be necessary to +return to the receiving-room, and ascertain what occurred after Nizza's +flight. Charles, who at first had been greatly annoyed by Parravicin's +abrupt entrance, speedily recovered his temper, and laughed at the +other's forced apologies. + +"I find I have a rival in your majesty," observed the knight. "It is +unlucky for me that you have encountered Nizza. Her charms were certain +to inflame you. But when I tell you I am desperately enamoured of her, I +am persuaded you will not interfere with me." + +"I will tell you what I will do," replied the good-humoured monarch, +after a moment's reflection. "I remember your mentioning that you once +played with a Captain Disbrowe for his wife, and won her from him. We +will play for this girl in the same manner." + +"But your majesty is a far more skilful player than Disbrowe," replied +Parravicin, reluctantly. + +"It matters not," rejoined the monarch; "the chances will be more +equal--or rather the advantage will be greatly on your side, for you are +allowed to be the luckiest and best player at my court. If I win, she is +mine. If, on the contrary, fortune favours you, I resign her." + +"Since there is no avoiding it, I accept the challenge," replied +Parravicin. + +"The decision shall not be delayed an instant," cried Charles, "What, +ho!--dice!--dice!" + +An attendant answering the summons, he desired that the other courtiers +should be admitted, and dice brought. The latter order could not be so +easily obeyed, there being no such articles at Ashdown; and the +attendants were driven to their wits' ends, when Pillichody chancing to +overhear what was going forward, produced a box and dice, which were +instantly conveyed to the king, and the play commenced. Charles, to his +inexpressible delight and Parravicin's chagrin, came off the winner, and +the mortification of the latter was increased by the laughter and taunts +of the spectators. + +"You are not in your usual luck to-day," observed Rochester to him, as +they walked aside. + +"For all this, do not think I will surrender Nizza," replied Parravicin, +in a low tone, "I love her too well for that." + +"I cannot blame you," replied Rochester. "Step this way," he added, +drawing him to the further end of the room. "It is my intention to carry +off Amabel to-night, notwithstanding old Rowley's injunctions to the +contrary, and I propose to accomplish my purpose in the following +manner. I will frighten her into flying with Leonard Holt, and will then +secretly follow her. Nizza Macascree is sure to accompany her, and will, +therefore, be in your power." + +"I see!" cried Parravicin. "A capital project!" + +"Pillichody has contrived to ingratiate himself with Blaize," pursued +the earl, "and through him the matter can be easily managed. The keys of +the stables, which are now intrusted to Chiffinch, shall be stolen--the +horses set free--and the two damsels caught in the trap prepared for +them, while the only person blamed in the matter will be Leonard." + +"Bravo!" exclaimed Parravicin. "I am impatient for the scheme to be put +into execution." + +"I will set about it at once," returned Rochester. + +And separating from Parravicin, he formed some excuse for quitting the +royal presence. + +About an hour afterwards, Pillichody sought out Blaize, and told him, +with a very mysterious air, that he had something to confide to him. + +"You know my regard for the Earl of Rochester and Sir Paul Parravicin," +he said, "and that I would do anything an honourable man ought to do to +assist them. But there are certain bounds which even friendship cannot +induce me to pass. They meditate the worst designs against Amabel and +Nizza Macascree, and intend to accomplish their base purpose before +daybreak. I therefore give you notice, that you may acquaint Leonard +Holt with the dangerous situation of the poor girls, and contrive their +escape in the early part of the night. I will steal the keys of the +stable for you from Chiffinch, and will render you every assistance in +my power. But if you are discovered, you must not betray me." + +"Not for the world!" replied Blaize. "I am sure we are infinitely +obliged to you. It is a horrible design, and must be prevented. I wish +all this flying and escaping was over. I desire to be quiet, and am +quite sorry to leave this charming place." + +"There is no alternative now," rejoined Pillichody. + +"So it appears," groaned Blaize. + +The substance of Pillichody's communication was immediately conveyed to +Leonard, who told Blaize to acquaint his informer that he should have +two pieces of gold, if he brought them the keys. To obtain them was not +very difficult, and the bully was aided in accomplishing the task by the +Earl of Rochester in the following manner. Chiffinch was an inordinate +drinker, and satisfied he could turn this failing to account, the earl +went into the ball where he was stationed, and after a little +conversation, called for a flask of wine. It was brought, and while they +were quaffing bumpers, Pillichody, who had entered unperceived, +contrived to open a table-drawer in which the keys were placed, and slip +them noiselessly into his doublet. He then stole away, and delivered his +prize to Blaize, receiving in return the promised reward, and chuckling +to himself at the success of his roguery. The keys were conveyed by the +porter to Leonard, and the latter handed them in his turn to John +Lutcombe, who engaged to have the horses at the lower end of the south +avenue an hour before midnight. + + + + +IX. KINGSTON LISLE. + +About half-past ten, and when it was supposed that the king and his +courtiers had retired to rest (for early hours were kept in those days), +Mrs. Buscot and Leonard repaired to Amabel's chamber. The good +housekeeper noticed with great uneasiness that her niece looked +excessively pale and agitated, and she would have persuaded her to +abandon all idea of flight, if she had not feared that her stay might be +attended with still worse consequences. + +Before the party set out, Mrs. Buscot crept down stairs to see that all +was safe, and returned almost instantly, with the very satisfactory +intelligence that Chiffinch was snoring in a chair in the hall, and that +the usher had probably retired to rest, as he was nowhere to be seen. +Not a moment, therefore, was to be lost, and they descended the great +staircase as noiselessly as possible. So far all had gone well; but on +gaining the hall, Amabel's strength completely deserted her, and if +Leonard had not caught her in his arms, she must have fallen. He was +hurrying forward with his burden towards a passage on the right, when +Chiffinch, who had been disturbed by the noise, suddenly started to his +feet, and commanded him to stop. At this moment, a figure enveloped in a +cloak darted from behind a door, and extinguishing the lamp which +Chiffinch had taken from the table, seized him with a powerful grasp. +All was now buried in darkness, and while Leonard Holt was hesitating +what to do, he heard a voice, which he knew to be that of Pillichody, +whisper in his ear, "Come with me--I will secure your retreat. Quick! +quick!" + +Suffering himself to be drawn along, and closely followed by Nizza +Macascree and Mrs. Buscot, Leonard crossed the dining-chamber, not +without stumbling against some of the furniture by the way, and through +an open window into the court, where he found Blaize awaiting him. +Without waiting for thanks, Pillichody then disappeared, and Mrs. +Buscot, having pointed out the course he ought to pursue, bade him +farewell. + +Hurrying across the court, he reached the south avenue, but had not +proceeded far when it became evident, from the lights at the windows, as +well as from the shouts and other noises proceeding from the court, that +their flight was discovered. Encumbered as he was by his lovely burden, +Leonard ran on so swiftly, that Nizza Macascree and Blaize could +scarcely keep up with him. They found John Lutcombe at the end of the +avenue with the horses, and mounting them, set off along the downs, +accompanied by the keeper, who acted as their guide. Striking off on the +right, they came to a spot covered over with immense grey stones, +resembling those rocky fragments used by the Druids in the construction +of a cromlech, and, as it was quite dark, it required some caution in +passing through them. Guided by the keeper, who here took hold of the +bridle of his horse, Leonard threaded the pass with safety; but Blaize +was not equally fortunate. Alarmed by the sounds in the rear, and not +attending to the keeper's caution, he urged his horse on, and the animal +coming in contact with a stone, stumbled, and precipitated him and Nizza +Macascree to the ground. Luckily, neither of them fell against the +stone, or the consequences might have been fatal. John Lutcombe +instantly flew to their aid, but before he reached them, Nizza Macascree +had regained her feet. Blaize, however, who was considerably shaken and +bruised by the fall, was not quite so expeditious, and his dilatoriness +so provoked the keeper, that, seizing him in his arms, he lifted him +into the saddle. Just as Nizza Macascree was placed on the pillion +behind him, the tramp of horses was heard rapidly approaching. In +another moment their pursuers came up, and the foremost, whose tones +proclaimed him the Earl of Rochester, commanded them to stop. +Inexpressibly alarmed, Amabel could not repress a scream, and guided by +the sound, the earl dashed to her side, and seized the bridle of her +steed. + +A short struggle took place between him and Leonard, in which the hitter +strove to break away; but the earl, drawing his sword, held it to his +throat. + +"Deliver up your mistress instantly," he cried, in a menacing tone, "or +you are a dead man." + +Leonard returned a peremptory refusal. + +"Hold!" exclaimed Amabel, springing from the horse; "I will not be the +cause of bloodshed. I implore you, my lord, to desist from this outrage. +You will gain nothing by it but my death." + +"Let him touch you at his peril," cried John Lutcombe, rushing towards +them, and interposing his stalwart person between her and the earl. + +"Stand aside, dog!" cried Rochester furiously, "or I will trample you +beneath my horse's hoofs." + +"You must first get near me to do it," rejoined the keeper. And as he +spoke he struck the horse so violent a blow with a stout oaken cudgel +with which he was provided, that the animal became unmanageable, and +dashed across the downs to some distance with his rider. + +Meanwhile, Parravicin having ridden up with Pillichody (for they proved +to be the earl's companions) assailed Blaize, and commanded him to +deliver up Nizza Macascree. Scared almost out of his senses, the porter +would have instantly complied, if the piper's daughter had not kept fast +hold of him, and reproaching him with his cowardice, screamed loudly for +help. Heedless of her cries, Parravicin seized her, and strove to drag +her from the horse; but she only clung the closer to Blaize, and the +other, expecting every moment to pay another visit to the ground, added +his vociferations for assistance to hers. + +"Leave go your hold," he cried, to Pillichody, who had seized him on the +other side by the collar. "Leave go, I say, or you will rend my jerkin +asunder. What are you doing here? I thought you were to help us to +escape." + +"So I have done," rejoined Pillichody, bursting into a loud laugh; "and +I am now helping to catch you again. What a blind buzzard you must be +not to perceive the net spread for you! Deliver up Nizza Macascree +without more ado, or, by all the fiends, I will pay you off for your +dastardly assault upon me this morning." + +"I cannot deliver her up," cried Blaize; "she sticks to me as fast as a +burr. I shall be torn asunder between you. Help! help!" + +Parravicin, having dismounted, now tore away Nizza Macascree, and was +just about to transfer her to his own steed, when John Lutcombe, having +driven away the earl in the manner before described, came to the rescue. +One blow from his cudgel stretched the knight on the sod, and liberated +Nizza Macascree, who instantly flew to her preserver. Finding how +matters stood, and that he was likely to be well backed, Blaize plucked +up his courage, and grappled with Pillichody. In the struggle they both +tumbled to the ground. The keeper rushed towards them, and seizing +Pillichody, began to belabour him soundly. In vain the bully implored +mercy. He underwent a severe chastisement, and Blaize added a few kicks +to the shower of blows proceeding from the keeper, crying, as he dealt +them, "Who is the buzzard now, I should like to know?" + +By this time, Parravicin had regained his legs, and the Earl of +Rochester having forced back his steed, both drew their swords, and, +burning for vengeance, prepared to renew the charge. The affair might +have assumed a serious aspect, if it had not chanced that at this +juncture lights were seen hurrying along the avenue, and the next +moment, a large party issued from it. + +"It is the king?" cried Rochester. "What is to be done?" + +"Our prey must be abandoned," rejoined Parravicin; "it will never do to +be caught here." + +With this he sprang upon his steed, and disappeared across the downs +with the earl. + +John Lutcombe, on perceiving the approach of the torch-bearers, +instantly abandoned Pillichody, and assisting Blaize to the saddle, +placed Nizza behind him. Leonard, likewise, who had dismounted to +support Amabel, replaced her in the pillion, and in a few seconds the +party were in motion. Pillichody, who was the only person now left, did +not care to wait for the king's arrival, but snatching the bridle of his +steed, which was quietly grazing at a little distance, mounted him, and +galloped off in the direction which he fancied had been taken by the +earl and his companion. + +Guided by the keeper, who ran beside them, the fugitives proceeded for a +couple of miles at a rapid pace over the downs, when, it not appearing +that they were followed, John Lutcombe halted for a moment to recover +breath. The fresh air had in some degree revived Amabel, and the +circumstance of their providential deliverance raised the spirits of the +whole party. Soon after this, they reached the ridge of the downs, the +magnificent view from which was completely hidden by the shades of +night, and, tracking the old Roman road for about a mile, descended the +steep hill in the direction of the Blowing Stone. Skirting a thick grove +of trees, they presently came to a gate, which the keeper opened, and +led them through an orchard towards what appeared to be in the gloom a +moderately-sized and comfortable habitation. + +"The owner of this house, Mrs. Compton," observed John Lutcombe to +Amabel, "is a widow, and the kindest lady in Berkshire. A message has +been sent by your aunt to beg her to afford you an asylum for a few +days, and I will answer for it you will be hospitably received." + +As he spoke, the loud barking of a dog was heard, and an old grey-headed +butler was seen advancing towards them with a lantern in his hand. At +the same time a groom issued from the stable on the right, accompanied +by the dog in question, and, hastening towards them, assisted them to +dismount. The dog seemed to recognise the keeper, and leaped upon him, +licked his hand, and exhibited other symptoms of delight. + +"What, Ringwood," cried the keeper, patting his head, "dost thou know +thy old master again? I see you have taken good care of him, Sam," he +added to the groom. "I knew I was placing him into good hands when I +gave him to Mrs. Compton." + +"Ay, ay, he can't find a better home, I fancy," said the groom. + +"Will it please you to walk this way, ladies?" interposed the butler. +"My mistress has been expecting you for some time, and had become quite +uneasy about you." So saying, he led the way through a garden, filled +with the odours of a hundred unseen flowers, and ushered them into the +house. + +Mrs. Compton, an elderly lady, of very pleasing exterior, received them +with great kindness, and conducted them to a comfortable apartment, +surrounded with book-shelves and old family portraits, where +refreshments were spread out for them. The good old lady seemed +particularly interested in Amabel, and pressed her, but in vain, to +partake of the refreshments. With extreme delicacy, she refrained from +inquiring into the cause of their visit, and seeing that they appeared, +much fatigued, rang for a female attendant, and conducted them to a +sleeping-chamber, where she took leave of them for the night. Amabel was +delighted with her kind hostess, and, contrary to her expectations and +to those of Nizza Macascree, enjoyed undisturbed repose. She awoke in +the morning greatly refreshed, and, after attiring herself, gazed +through her chamber window. It looked upon a trim and beautiful garden, +with a green and mossy plot carved out into quaintly-fashioned beds, +filled with the choicest flowers, and surrounded by fine timber, amid +which a tall fir-tree appeared proudly conspicuous. Mrs. Compton, who, +it appeared, always arose with the sun, was busied in tending her +flowers, and as Amabel watched her interesting pursuits, she could +scarcely help envying her. + +"What a delightful life your mistress must lead," she observed to a +female attendant who was present; "I cannot imagine greater happiness +than hers." + +"My mistress ought to be happy," said the attendant; "for there is no +one living who does more good. Not a cottage nor a farm-house in the +neighbourhood but she visits to inquire whether she can be of any +service to its inmates; and wherever her services _are_ required, they +are always rendered. Mrs. Compton's name will never be forgotten in +Kingston Lisle." + +At this moment, Amabel caught sight of the benevolent countenance of the +good old lady looking up at the window, and a kindly greeting passed +between them. Ringwood, who was a privileged intruder, was careering +round the garden, and though his mistress watched his gambols round her +favourite flower-beds with some anxiety, she did not check him. Amabel +and Nizza now went down stairs, and Mrs. Compton returning from the +garden, all the household, including Leonard and Blaize, assembled in +the breakfast-room for morning prayers. + +Breakfast over, Mrs. Compton entered into conversation with Amabel, and +ascertained all the particulars of her history. She was greatly +interested in it, but did not affect to conceal the anxiety it gave her. + +"Yours is really a very dangerous position," she said, "and I should be +acting unfairly towards you if I told you otherwise. However, I will +give you all the protection in my power, and I trust your retreat may +not be discovered." + +Mrs. Compton's remark did not tend to dispel Amabel's uneasiness, and +both she and Nizza Macascree passed a day of great disquietude. + +In the mean time, Leonard and Blaize were treated with great hospitality +by the old butler in the servants' hall; and though the former was not +without apprehension that their retreat might be discovered, he trusted, +if it were so, to some fortunate chance to effect their escape. He did +not dare to confide his apprehensions to the butler, nor did the other +make any inquiries; but it being understood that their visit was to be +secret, every precaution was taken to keep it so. John Lutcombe had +tarried no longer than enabled him to discuss a jug of ale, and then set +out for Ashdown, promising to return on the following day; but he had +not yet made his appearance. Evening arrived, and nothing alarming +having occurred, all became comparatively easy; and Mrs. Compton +herself, who had looked unusually grave throughout the day, now +recovered her wonted cheerfulness. + +Their satisfaction, however, was not long afterwards disturbed by the +arrival of a large train of horsemen at the gate, and a stately +personage alighted, and walked at the head of a gallant train, towards +the house. At the sight of the new-comers, whom they instantly knew were +the king and his suite, Amabel and Nizza Macascree flew upstairs, and +shutting themselves in their chamber, awaited the result in the utmost +trepidation. They were not kept long in suspense. Shortly after the +king's arrival, Mrs. Compton herself knocked at the door, and in a tone +of deep commiseration, informed Amabel that his majesty desired to see +her. + +Knowing that refusal was impossible, Amabel complied, and descended to a +room looking upon the garden, in which she found the king. He was +attended only by Chiffinch, and received her with a somewhat severe +aspect, and demanded why she had left Ashdown contrary to his express +injunctions? + +Amabel stated her motives. + +"What you tell me is by no means satisfactory," rejoined the king; "but +since you have chosen to trust to yourself, you can no longer look for +protection from me." + +"I beseech your majesty to consider the strait into which I was driven," +returned Amabel, imploringly. + +"Summon the Earl of Rochester to the presence," said the king, turning +from her to Chiffinch. + +"In pity, sire," cried Amabel, throwing herself at his feet. + +"Let the injunction be obeyed," rejoined Charles, peremptorily. + +And the chief page departed. + +Amabel instantly arose, and drew herself proudly up. Soon afterwards, +Rochester made his appearance, and on seeing Amabel, a flush of +triumphant joy overspread his features. + +"I withdraw my interdiction, my lord," said the king to him. "You are at +liberty to renew your suit to this girl." + +"Hear me, Lord Rochester," said Amabel, addressing the earl; "I have +conquered the passion I once felt for you, and regard you only as one +who has sought my ruin, and from whom I have fortunately escaped. When +you learn from my own lips that my heart is dead to you, that I never +can love you more, and that I only desire to be freed from your +addresses, I cannot doubt but you will discontinue them." + +"Your declaration only inflames me the more, lovely Amabel," replied the +earl, passionately. "You must, and shall be mine." + +"Then my death will rest at your door," she rejoined. + +"I will take my chance of that," rejoined the earl, carelessly. + +Amabel then quitted the king's presence, and returned to her own +chamber, where she found Nizza Macascree in a state of indescribable +agitation. + +"All has happened that I anticipated," said she to Nizza Macascree. "The +king will no longer protect me, and I am exposed to the persecutions of +the Earl of Rochester, who is here." + +As she spoke, an usher entered, and informed Nizza Macascree that the +king commanded her presence. The piper's daughter looked at Amabel with +a glance of unutterable anguish. + +"I fear you must go," said Amabel, "but Heaven will protect you!" + +They then tenderly embraced each other, and Nizza Macascree departed +with the usher. + +Some time having elapsed, and Nizza not returning, Amabel became +seriously uneasy. Hearing a noise below, she looked forth from the +window, and perceived the king and all his train departing. A terrible +foreboding shot through her heart. She gazed anxiously after them, but +could not perceive Nizza Macascree. Overcome at last by her anxiety, she +rushed down stairs, and had just reached the last step, when she was +seized by two persons. A shawl was passed over her head, and she was +forced out of the house. + +* * * * * + + + + +BOOK THE FOURTH. + +SEPTEMBER, 1665. + + + + +I. THE PLAGUE AT ITS HEIGHT. + +Amabel's departure for Berkshire caused no change in her father's mode +of life. Everything proceeded as before within his quiet dwelling; and, +except that the family were diminished in number, all appeared the same. +It is true they wanted the interest, and indeed the occupation, afforded +them by the gentle invalid, but in other respects, no difference was +observable. Devotional exercises, meals, the various duties of the +house, and cheerful discourse, filled up the day, which never proved +wearisome. The result proved the correctness of Mr. Bloundel's judgment. +While the scourge continued weekly to extend its ravages throughout the +city, it never crossed his threshold; and, except suffering in a slight +degree from scorbutic affections, occasioned by the salt meats to which +they were now confined, and for which the lemon and lime-juice, provided +against such a contingency, proved an efficacious remedy, all the family +enjoyed perfect health. For some weeks after her separation from her +daughter, Mrs. Bloundel continued in a desponding state, but after that +time she became more reconciled to the deprivation, and partially +recovered her spirits. Mr. Bloundel did not dare to indulge a hope that +Amabel would ever return; but though he suffered much in secret, he +never allowed his grief to manifest itself. The circumstance that he had +not received any intelligence of her did not weigh much with him, +because the difficulty of communication became greater and greater, as +each week the scourge increased in violence, and he was inclined to take +no news as good news. It was not so in the present case, but of this he +was happily ignorant. + +In this way, a month passed on. And now every other consideration was +merged in the alarm occasioned by the daily increasing fury of the +pestilence. Throughout July the excessive heat of the weather underwent +no abatement, but in place of the clear atmosphere that had prevailed +during the preceding month, unwholesome blights filled the air, and, +confining the pestilential effluvia, spread the contagion far and wide +with extraordinary rapidity. Not only was the city suffocated with heat, +but filled with noisome smells, arising from the carcasses with which +the close alleys and other out-of-the-way places were crowded, and which +were so far decomposed as not to be capable of removal. The aspect of +the river was as much changed as that of the city. Numbers of bodies +were thrown into it, and, floating up with the tide, were left to taint +the air on its banks, while strange, ill-omened fowl, attracted thither +by their instinct, preyed upon them. Below the bridge, all captains of +ships moored in the Pool, or off Wapping, held as little communication +as possible with those on shore, and only received fresh provisions with +the greatest precaution. As the plague increased, most of these removed +lower down the river, and many of them put out entirely to sea. Above +the bridge, most of the wherries and other smaller craft had +disappeared, their owners having taken them up the river, and moored +them against its banks at different spots, where they lived in them +under tilts. Many hundreds of persons remained upon the river in this +way during the whole continuance of the visitation. + +August had now arrived, but the distemper knew no cessation. On the +contrary, it manifestly increased in violence and malignity. The deaths +rose a thousand in each week, and in the last week in this fatal month +amounted to upwards of sixty thousand! + +But, terrible as this was, the pestilence had not yet reached its +height. Hopes were entertained that when the weather became cooler, its +fury would abate; but these anticipations were fearfully disappointed. +The bills of mortality rose the first week in September to seven +thousand, and though they slightly decreased during the second +week--awakening a momentary hope--on the third they advanced to twelve +thousand! In less than ten days, upwards of two thousand persons +perished in the parish of Aldgate alone; while Whitechapel suffered +equally severely. Out of the hundred parishes in and about the city, one +only, that of Saint John the Evangelist in Watling-street, remained +uninfected, and this merely because there was scarcely a soul left +within it, the greater part of the inhabitants having quitted their +houses, and fled into the country. + +The deepest despair now seized upon all the survivors. Scarcely a family +but had lost half of its number--many, more than half--while those who +were left felt assured that their turn would speedily arrive. Even the +reckless were appalled, and abandoned their evil courses. Not only were +the dead lying in the passages and alleys, but even in the main +thoroughfares, and none would remove them. The awful prediction of +Solomon Eagle that "grass would grow in the streets, and that the living +should not be able to bury the dead," had come to pass. London had +become one vast lazar-house, and seemed in a fair way of becoming a +mighty sepulchre. + +During all this time, Saint Paul's continued to be used as a pest-house, +but it was not so crowded as heretofore, because, as not one in fifty of +the infected recovered when placed under medical care, it was not +thought worth while to remove them from their own abodes. The number of +attendants, too, had diminished. Some had died, but the greater part had +abandoned their offices from a fear of sharing the fate of their +patients. In consequence of these changes, Judith Malmayns had been +advanced to the post of chief nurse at the cathedral. Both she and +Chowles had been attacked by the plague, and both had recovered. Judith +attended the coffin-maker, and it was mainly owing to her that he got +through the attack. She never left him for a moment, and would never +suffer any one to approach him--a necessary precaution, as he was so +much alarmed by his situation that he would infallibly have made some +awkward revelations. When Judith, in her turn, was seized, Chowles +exhibited no such consideration for her, and scarcely affected to +conceal his disappointment at her recovery. This want of feeling on his +part greatly incensed her against him, and though he contrived in some +degree to appease her, it was long before she entirely forgave him. Far +from being amended by her sufferings, she seemed to have grown more +obdurate, and instantly commenced a fresh career of crime. It was not, +however, necessary now to hasten the end of the sick. The distemper had +acquired such force and malignity that it did its work quickly +enough--often too quickly--and all she sought was to obtain possession +of the poor patients' attire, or any valuables they might possess worth +appropriating. To turn to the brighter side of the picture, it must not +be omitted that when the pestilence was at its height, and no offers +could induce the timorous to venture forth, or render assistance to the +sufferers, Sir John Lawrence the Lord Mayor, the Duke of Albermarle, the +Earl of Craven, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, devoted themselves to +the care of the infected, and supplied them with every necessary they +required. Among the physicians, no one deserves more honourable mention +than Doctor Hodges, who was unremitting in his attentions to the +sufferers. + +To return to the grocer. While the plague was thus raging around him, +and while every house in Wood-street except one or two, from which the +inmates had fled, was attacked by the pestilence, he and his family had +remained untouched. About the middle of August, he experienced a great +alarm. His second son, Hubert, fell sick, and he removed him to one of +the upper rooms which he had set aside as an hospital, and attended upon +him himself. In a few days, however, his fears were removed and he +found, to his great satisfaction, that the youth had not been attacked +by the plague, but was only suffering from a slight fever, which quickly +yielded to the remedies applied. About the same time, too, he lost his +porter, Dallison. The poor fellow did not make his appearance as usual +for two days, and intelligence of his fate was brought on the following +day by his wife, who came to state that her husband was dead, and had +been thrown into the plague-pit at Aldgate. The same night, however, she +brought another man, named Allestry, who took the place of the late +porter, and acquainted his employer with the deplorable state of the +city. + +Two days afterwards, Allestry himself died, and Mr. Bloundel had no one +to replace him. He thus lost all means of ascertaining what was going +forward; but the deathlike stillness around him, broken only by the +hoarse tolling of a bell, by a wild shriek or other appalling cry, +proclaimed too surely the terrible state of things. Sometimes, too, a +passenger would go by, and would tell him the dreadful height to which +the bills of mortality had risen, assuring him that ere another month +had expired, not a soul would be left alive in London. + +One night, as Solomon Eagle, who had likewise been miraculously +preserved, pursued his course through the streets, he paused before Mr. +Roundel's house, and looking up at the window, at which the latter had +chanced to be stationed, cried in a loud voice, "Be of good cheer. You +have served God faithfully, and there shall no evil befall you, neither +shall the plague come nigh your dwelling." And raising his arms, as if +invoking a blessing upon the habitation, he departed. + +It was now the second week in September, and as yet Mr. Bloundel had +received no tidings of his daughter. At any other season he would have +been seriously uneasy, but now, as has been already stated, all private +grief was swallowed up in the horror of the general calamity. Satisfied +that she was in a healthful situation, and that her chance of +preservation from the pestilence was better than that of any other +member of his family, he turned his thoughts entirely to them. +Redoubling his precautions, he tried by every means to keep up the +failing spirits of his household, and but rarely ventured to open his +shutter, and look forth on the external world. + +On the tenth of September, which was afterwards accounted the most fatal +day of this fatal month, a young man of a very dejected appearance, and +wearing the traces of severe suffering in his countenance, entered the +west end of London, and took his way slowly towards the city. He had +passed Saint Giles's without seeing a single living creature, or the +sign of one in any of the houses. The broad thoroughfare was completely +grown over with grass, and the habitations had the most melancholy and +deserted air imaginable. Some doors and windows were wide open, +discovering rooms with goods and furniture scattered about, having been +left in this state by their inmates; but most part of them were closely +fastened up. + +As he proceeded along Holborn, the ravages of the scourge were yet more +apparent. Every house, on either side of the way, had a red cross, with +the fatal inscription above it, upon the door. Here and there, a +watchman might be seen, looking more like a phantom than a living thing. +Formerly, the dead were conveyed away at night, but now the carts went +about in the daytime. On reaching Saint Andrew's, Holborn, several +persons were seen wheeling hand-barrows filled with corpses, scarcely +covered with clothing, and revealing the blue and white stripes of the +pestilence, towards a cart which was standing near the church gates. The +driver of the vehicle, a tall, cadaverous-looking man, was ringing his +bell, and jesting with another person, whom the young man recognised, +with a shudder, as Chowles. The coffin-maker also recognised him at the +same moment, and called to him, but the other paid no attention to the +summons and passed on. + +Crossing Holborn Bridge, he toiled faintly up the opposite hill, for he +was evidently suffering from extreme debility, and on gaining the summit +was obliged to support himself against a wall for a few minutes, before +he could proceed. The same frightful evidences of the ravages of the +pestilence were observable here, as elsewhere. The houses were all +marked with the fatal cross, and shut up. Another dead-cart was heard +rumbling along, accompanied by the harsh cries of the driver, and the +doleful ringing of the bell. The next moment the loathly vehicle was +seen coming along the Old Bailey. It paused before a house, from which +four bodies were brought, and then passed on towards Smithfield. +Watching its progress with fearful curiosity, the young man noted how +often it paused to increase its load. His thoughts, coloured by the +scene, were of the saddest and dreariest complexion. All around wore the +aspect of death. The few figures in sight seemed staggering towards the +grave, and the houses appeared to be plague-stricken like the +inhabitants. The heat was intolerably oppressive, and the air tainted +with noisome exhalations. Ever and anon, a window would be opened, and a +ghastly face thrust from it, while a piercing shriek, or lamentable cry, +was uttered. No business seemed going on--there were no passengers--no +vehicles in the streets. The mighty city was completely laid prostrate. + +After a short rest, the young man shaped his course towards Saint +Paul's, and on reaching its western precincts, gazed for some time at +the reverend structure, as if its contemplation called up many and +painful recollections. Tears started to his eyes, and he was about to +turn away, when he perceived the figure of Solomon Eagle stationed near +the cross at the western extremity of the roof. The enthusiast caught +sight of him at the same moment, and motioned him to come nearer. "What +has happened?" he demanded, as the other approached the steps of the +portico. + +The young man shook his head mournfully. "It is a sad tale," he said, +"and cannot be told now." + +"I can conjecture what it is," replied Solomon Eagle. "But come to the +small door near the northern entrance of the cathedral at midnight. I +will meet you there." + +"I will not fail," replied the young man. + +"One of the terrible judgments which I predicted would befall this +devoted city has come to pass," cried Solomon Eagle. "Another yet +remains--the judgment by fire--and if its surviving inhabitants repent +not, of which there is as yet no sign, it will assuredly follow." + +"Heaven avert it!" groaned the other, turning away. + +Proceeding along Cheapside, he entered Wood-street, and took his way +towards the grocer's dwelling. When at a little distance from it, he +paused, and some minutes elapsed before he could muster strength to go +forward. Here, as elsewhere, there were abundant indications of the +havoc occasioned by the fell disease. Not far from the grocer's shop, +and in the middle of the street, lay the body of a man, with the face +turned upwards, while crouching in an angle of the wall sat a young +woman watching it. As the young man drew nearer, he recognised in the +dead man the principal of the Brotherhood of Saint Michael, and in the +poor mourner one of his profligate female associates. "What has become +of your unhappy companions?" he demanded of the woman. + +"The last of them lies there," she rejoined mournfully. "All the rest +died long ago. My lover was true to his vow; and instead of deploring +their fate, lived with me and three other women in mirth and revelry +till yesterday, when the three women died, and he fell sick. He did not, +however, give in, but continued carousing until an hour before his +death." + +Too much shocked to make any reply, the young man proceeded towards the +hutch. Beneath a doorway, at a little distance from it, sat a watchman +with a halberd on his shoulder, guarding the house; but it was evident +he would be of little further use. His face was covered with his hands, +and his groans proclaimed that he himself was attacked by the +pestilence. Entering the hutch, the young man pulled the cord of the +bell, and the summons was soon after answered by the grocer, who +appeared at the window. "What, Leonard Holt!" he exclaimed, in surprise, +on seeing the young man--"is it you?--what ails you?--you look +frightfully ill." + +"I have been attacked a second time by the plague," replied the +apprentice, "and am only just recovered from it." + +"What of my child?" cried the grocer eagerly--"what of her?" + +"Alas! alas!" exclaimed the apprentice. + +"Do not keep me in suspense," rejoined the grocer. "Is she dead?" + +"No, not dead," replied the apprentice, "but--" + +"But what?" ejaculated the grocer. "In Heaven's name, speak!" + +"These letters will tell you all," replied the apprentice, producing a +packet. "I had prepared them to send to you in case of my death. I am +not equal to further explanation now." + +With trembling eagerness the grocer lowered the rope, and Leonard having +tied the packet to it, it was instantly drawn up. Notwithstanding his +anxiety to ascertain the fate of Amabel, Mr. Bloundel would not touch +the packet until he had guarded against the possibility of being +infected by it. Seizing it with a pair of tongs, he plunged it into a +pan containing a strong solution of vinegar and sulphur, which he had +always in readiness in the chamber, and when thoroughly saturated, laid +it in the sun to dry. On first opening the shutter to answer Leonard's +summons, he had flashed off a pistol, and he now thought to expel the +external air by setting fire to a ball composed of quick brimstone, +saltpetre, and yellow amber, which being placed on an iron plate, +speedily filled the room with a thick vapour, and prevented the entrance +of any obnoxious particles. These precautions taken, he again addressed +himself, while the packet was drying, to Leonard, whom he found gazing +anxiously at the window, and informed him that all his family had +hitherto escaped contagion. + +"A special providence must have watched over you, sir," replied the +apprentice, "and I believe yours is the only family in the whole city +that has been so spared. I have reason to be grateful for my own +extraordinary preservation, and yet I would rather it had pleased Heaven +to take me away than leave me to my present misery." + +"You keep me in a frightful state of suspense, Leonard," rejoined the +grocer, regarding the packet wistfully, "for I dare not open your +letters till they are thoroughly fumigated. You assure me my child is +living. Has she been attacked by the plague?" + +"Would she had!" groaned Leonard. + +"Is she still at Ashdown?" pursued the grocer. "Ah! you shake your head. +I see!--I must be beside myself not to have thought of it before. She is +in the power of the Earl of Rochester." + +"She is," cried Leonard, catching at the angle of the shed for support. + +"And I am here!" exclaimed Mr. Bloundel, forgetting his caution, and +thrusting himself far out of the window, as if with the intention of +letting himself down by the rope--"I am here, when I ought to be near +her!" + +"Calm yourself, I beseech you, sir," cried Leonard; "a moment's rashness +will undo all you have done." + +"True!" replied the grocer, checking himself. "I must think of others as +well as of her. But where is she? Hide nothing from me." + +"I have reason to believe she is in London," replied the apprentice. "I +traced her hither, and should not have desisted from my search if I had +not been checked by the plague, which attacked me on the night of my +arrival. I was taken to the pesthouse near Westbourne Green, where I +have been for the last three weeks." + +"If she was brought to London, as you state," rejoined the grocer, "I +cannot doubt but she has fallen a victim to the scourge." + +"It may be," replied Leonard, moodily, "and I would almost hope it is +so. When you peruse my letters, you will learn that she was carried off +by the earl from the residence of a lady at Kingston Lisle, whither she +had been removed for safety; and after being taken from place to place, +was at last conveyed to an old hall in the neighbourhood of Oxford, +where she was concealed for nearly a month." + +"Answer me, Leonard," cried the grocer, "and do not attempt to deceive +me. Has she preserved her honour?" + +"Up to the time of quitting Oxford she had preserved it," replied the +apprentice. "She herself assured me she had resisted all the earl's +importunities, and would die rather than yield to him. But I will tell +you how I obtained an interview with her. After a long search, I +discovered the place of her concealment, the old hall I have just +mentioned, and climbed in the night, and at the hazard of my life, to +the window of the chamber where she was confined. I saw and spoke with +her; and having arranged a plan by which I hoped to accomplish her +deliverance on the following night, descended. Whether our brief +conference was overheard, and communicated to the earl, I know not; but +it would seem so, for he secretly departed with her the next morning, +taking the road, as I subsequently learnt, to London. I instantly +started in pursuit, and had reached Paddington, when I fell ill, as I +have related." + +"What you tell me in some measure eases my mind," replied Mr. Bloundel, +after a pause; "for I feel that my daughter, if alive, will be able to +resist her persecutor. What has become of your companions?" + +"Nizza Macascree has met with the same fate as Amabel," replied Leonard. +"She was unfortunate enough to attract the king's attention, when he +visited Ashdown Lodge in company of the Earl of Rochester, and was +conveyed to Oxford, where the court is now held, and must speedily have +fallen a victim to her royal lover if she had not disappeared, having +been carried off, it was supposed, by Sir Paul Parravicin. But the +villain was frustrated in his infamous design. The king's suspicion +falling upon him, he was instantly arrested; and though he denied all +knowledge of Nizza's retreat, and was afterwards liberated, his +movements were so strictly watched, that he had no opportunity of +visiting her." + +"You do not mention Blaize," said Mr. Bloundel. "No ill, I trust, has +befallen him?" + +"I grieve to say he has been attacked by the distemper he so much +dreaded," replied Leonard. "He accompanied me to London, but quitted me +when I fell sick, and took refuge with a farmer named Wingfield, +residing near Kensal Green. I accidentally met Wingfield this morning, +and he informed me that Blaize was taken ill the day before yesterday, +and removed to the pest-house in Finsbury Fields. I will go thither +presently, and see what has become of him. Is Doctor Hodges still among +the living?" + +"I trust so," replied Mr. Bloundel, "though I have not seen him for the +last ten days." + +He then disappeared for a few minutes, and on his return lowered a small +basket containing a flask of canary, a loaf which he himself had baked, +and a piece of cold boiled beef. The apprentice thankfully received the +provisions, and retiring to the hutch, began to discuss them, fortifying +himself with a copious draught of canary. Having concluded his repast, +he issued forth, and acquainting Mr. Bloundel, who had at length +ventured to commence reading the contents of the packet by the aid of +powerful glasses, that he was about to proceed to Dr. Hodges's +residence, to inquire after him, set off in that direction. + +Arrived in Great Knightrider-street, he was greatly shocked at finding +the door of the doctor's habitation fastened, nor could he make any one +hear, though he knocked loudly and repeatedly against it. The shutters +of the lower windows were closed, and the place looked completely +deserted. All the adjoining houses were shut up, and not a living being +could be discerned in the street from whom information could be obtained +relative to the physician. Here, as elsewhere, the pavement was +overgrown with grass, and the very houses had a strange and melancholy +look, as if sharing in the general desolation. On looking down a narrow +street leading to the river, Leonard perceived a flock of poultry +scratching among the staves in search of food, and instinctively calling +them, they flew towards him, as if delighted at the unwonted sound of a +human voice. These, and a half-starved cat, were the only things living +that he could perceive. At the further end of the street he caught sight +of the river, speeding in its course towards the bridge, and scarcely +knowing whither he was going, sauntered to its edge. The tide had just +turned, and the stream was sparkling in the sunshine, but no craft could +be discovered upon its bosom; and except a few barges moored to its +sides, all vestiges of the numberless vessels with which it was once +crowded were gone. Its quays were completely deserted. Boxes and bales +of goods lay untouched on the wharves; the cheering cries with which the +workmen formerly animated their labour were hushed. There was no sound +of creaking cords, no rattle of heavy chains--none of the busy hum +ordinarily attending the discharge of freight from a vessel, or the +packing of goods and stores on board. All traffic was at an end; and +this scene, usually one of the liveliest possible, was now forlorn and +desolate. On the opposite shore of the river it appeared to be the +same--indeed, the borough of Southwark was now suffering the utmost +rigour of the scourge, and except for the rows of houses on its banks, +and the noble bridge by which it was spanned, the Thames appeared as +undisturbed as it must have been before the great city was built upon +its banks. + +The apprentice viewed this scene with a singular kind of interest. He +had become so accustomed to melancholy sights, that his feelings had +lost their acuteness, and the contemplation of the deserted buildings +and neglected wharves around him harmonized with his own gloomy +thoughts. Pursuing his walk along the side of the river, he was checked +by a horrible smell, and looking downward, he perceived a carcass in the +last stage of decomposition lying in the mud. It had been washed ashore +by the tide, and a large bird of prey was contending for the possession +of it with a legion of water-rats. Sickened by the sight, he turned up a +narrow thoroughfare near Baynard's Castle, and crossing Thames-street, +was about to ascend Addle-hill, when he perceived a man wheeling a +hand-barrow, containing a couple of corpses, in the direction of the +river, with the intention, doubtless, of throwing them into it, as the +readiest means of disposing of them. Both bodies were stripped of their +clothing, and the blue tint of the nails, as well as the blotches with +which they were covered, left no doubt as to the disease of which they +had died. Averting his gaze from the spectacle, Leonard turned off on +the right along Carter-lane, and threading a short passage, approached +the southern boundary of the cathedral; and proceeding towards the great +door opposite him, passed through it. The mighty lazar-house was less +crowded than he expected to find it, but its terrible condition far +exceeded his worst conceptions. Not more than half the pallets were +occupied; but as the sick were in a great measure left to themselves, +the utmost disorder prevailed. A troop of lazars, with sheets folded +around them, glided, like phantoms, along Paul's Walk, and mimicked in a +ghastly manner the air and deportment of the gallants who had formerly +thronged the place. No attempt being made to maintain silence, the noise +was perfectly stunning; some of the sick were shrieking--some laughing +in a wild unearthly manner--some praying--some uttering loud +execrations--others groaning and lamenting. The holy building seemed to +have become the abode of evil and tormented spirits. Many dead were +lying in the beds--the few attendants who were present not caring to +remove them; and Leonard had little doubt, that before another sun went +down the whole of the ghastly assemblage before him would share their +fate. If the habitations he had recently gazed upon had appeared +plague-stricken, the sacred structure in which he was now standing +seemed yet more horribly contaminated. Ill-kept and ill-ventilated, the +air was loaded with noxious effluvia, while the various abominations +that met the eye at every turn would have been sufficient to produce the +distemper in any one who had come in contact with them. They were, +however, utterly disregarded by the miserable sufferers and their +attendants. The magnificent painted windows were dimmed by a thick +clammy steam, which could scarcely be washed off--while the carved oak +screens, the sculptured tombs, the pillars, the walls, and the flagged +floors were covered with impurities. + +Satisfied with a brief survey of this frightful scene, Leonard turned to +depart, and was passing the entrance to Saint Faith's, which stood open, +when he caught sight of Judith standing at the foot of the broad stone +steps, and holding a lamp in her hand. She was conversing with a tall +richly-dressed man, whose features he fancied he had seen before, though +he could not at the moment call them to mind. After a brief +conversation, they moved off into the depths of the vault, and he lost +sight of them. All at once it occurred to Leonard that Judith's +companion was the unfortunate stranger whose child he had interred, and +who had been so strangely affected at the sight of Nizza Macascree. +Determined to ascertain the point, he hurried down the steps and plunged +into the vault. It was buried in profound darkness, and he had not +proceeded far when he stumbled over something lying in his path, and +found from the groan that followed that it was a plague-patient. Before +he could regain his feet, the unfortunate sufferer whom he had thus +disturbed implored him, in piteous accents, which, with a shudder, he +recognised as those of Blaize, to remove him. Leonard immediately gave +the poor porter to understand that he was near him, and would render him +every aid in his power. + +"Your assistance comes too late, Leonard," groaned Blaize--"it's all +over with me now, but I don't like to breathe my last in this dismal +vault, without medicine or food, both of which I am denied by that +infernal hag Mother Malmayns, who calls herself a nurse, but who is in +reality a robber and murderess. Oh! the frightful scenes I have +witnessed since I have been brought here! I told you I should not escape +the plague. I shall die of it--I am sure I shall." + +"I thought you were at the pest-house in Finsbury Fields," said Leonard. + +"I was taken there," replied Blaize; "but the place was full, and they +would not admit me, so I was sent to Saint Paul's, where there was +plenty of room. Yesterday I did pretty well, for I was in the great ward +above, and one of the attendants obeyed my directions implicitly, and I +am certain if they had been fully carried out, I should have got well. I +will tell you what I did. As soon as I was placed on a pallet, and +covered with blankets, I ordered a drink to be prepared of the inner +bark of an ash-tree, green walnuts, scabious vervain, and saffron, +boiled in two quarts of the strongest vinegar. Of this mixture I drank +plentifully, and it soon produced a plentiful perspiration. I next had a +hen--a live one, of course--stripped of the feathers, and brought to me. +Its bill was held to the large blotch under my arm, and kept there till +the fowl died from the noxious matter it drew forth. I next repeated the +experiment with a pigeon, and derived the greatest benefit from it. The +tumour had nearly subsided, and if I had been properly treated +afterwards, I should now be in a fair way of recovery. But instead of +nice strengthening chicken-broth, flavoured with succory and marigolds; +or water-gruel, mixed with rosemary and winter-savory; or a panado, +seasoned with verjuice or wood-sorrel; instead of swallowing large +draughts of warm beer; or water boiled with carduus seeds; or a posset +drink, made with sorrel, bugloss, and borage;--instead of these +remedies, or any other, I was carried to this horrible place when I was +asleep, and strapped to my pallet, as you perceive. Unloose me, if you +can do nothing else." + +"That I will readily do," replied Leonard; "but I must first procure a +light." With this, he groped his way among the close ranks of ponderous +pillars, but though he proceeded with the utmost caution, he could not +avoid coming in contact with the beds of some of the other patients, and +disturbing them. At length he descried a glimmer of light issuing from a +door which he knew to be that of the vestry, and which was standing +slightly ajar. Opening it, he perceived a lamp burning on the table, and +without stopping to look around him, seized it, and hurried back to the +porter. Poor Blaize presented a lamentable, and yet grotesque +appearance. His plump person was greatly reduced in bulk, and his round +cheeks had become hollow and cadaverous. He was strapped, as he had +stated, to the pallet, which in its turn was fastened to the adjoining +pillar. A blanket was tightly swathed around him, and a large cloth was +bound round his head in lieu of a nightcap. Leonard instantly set about +releasing him, and had just unfastened the straps when he heard +footsteps approaching, and looking up, perceived the stranger and Judith +Malmayns advancing towards him. + + + + +II. THE SECOND PLAGUE-PIT. + +Judith, being a little in advance of her companion, took Leonard in the +first instance for a chirurgeon's assistant, and called to him, in a +harsh and menacing voice, to let her charge alone. On drawing near, +however, she perceived her mistake, and recognising the apprentice, +halted with a disconcerted look. By this time, the stranger had come up, +and remarking her embarrassment, inquired the cause of it. + +"Look there," cried Judith, pointing towards the apprentice. "Yonder +stands the very man you seek." + +"What! Leonard Holt," cried the other, in astonishment. + +"Ay, Leonard Holt," rejoined Judith. "You can now put any questions to +him you think proper." + +The stranger did not require the suggestion to be repeated, but +instantly hastened to the apprentice. "Do you remember me?" he asked. + +Leonard answered in the affirmative. "I owe you a large debt of +obligation," continued the stranger, "and you shall not find me slow in +paying it. But let it pass for the moment. Do you know aught of Nizza +Macascree? I know she was taken to Oxford by the king, and subsequently +disappeared." + +"Then you know as much as I do of her, sir," rejoined Leonard. + +"I was right, you see, Mr. Thirlby," interposed Judith, with a malicious +grin. "I told you this youth would be utterly ignorant of her retreat." + +"My firm conviction is, that she is in the power of Sir Paul +Parravicin," observed Leonard. "But it is impossible to say where she is +concealed." + +"Then my last hope of finding her has fallen to the ground," replied +Thirlby, with a look of great distress. "Ever since my recovery from the +plague, I have been in search of her. I traced her from Ashdown Park to +Oxford, but she was gone before my arrival at the latter place; and +though I made every possible inquiry after her, and kept strict and +secret watch upon the villain whom I suspected, as you do, of carrying +her off, I could gain no clue to her retreat. Having ascertained, +however, that you were seen in the neighbourhood of Oxford about the +time of her disappearance, I had persuaded myself you must have aided +her escape. But now," he added, with a groan, "I find I was mistaken." + +"You were so," replied Leonard, mournfully; "I was in search of my +master's daughter, Amabel, who was carried off at the same time by the +Earl of Rochester, and my anxiety about her made me neglectful of +Nizza." + +"I am not ignorant of your devoted attachment to her," remarked the +stranger. + +"You will never find Amabel again," observed Judith, bitterly. + +"What mean you woman?" asked Leonard. + +"I mean what I say," rejoined Judith. "I repeat, you will never see her +again." + +"You would not speak thus positively without some motive," returned +Leonard, seizing her arm. "Where is she? What has happened to her?" + +"That you shall never learn from me," returned Judith, with a triumphant +glance. + +"Speak, or I will force you to do so," cried Leonard, furiously. + +"Force me!" cried Judith, laughing derisively; "you know not whom you +threaten." + +"But _I_ do," interposed Thirlby. "This young man _shall_ have an answer +to this question," he continued, addressing her in an authoritative +tone. "Do you know anything of the girl?" + +"No," replied Judith; "I was merely jesting with him." + +"Shame on you, to trifle with his feelings thus," rejoined Thirlby. +"Step with me this way, young man, I wish to speak with you." + +"Do not leave me here, Leonard," cried Blaize, "or I shall die before +you come back." + +"I have no intention of leaving you," rejoined Leonard. "Are you aware +whether Doctor Hodges is still alive, sir?" he added to Thirlby. "I have +just been to his residence in Great Knight-rider-street, and found it +shut up." + +"He has removed to Watling-street," replied the other; "but I have not +seen him since my return to London. If you wish it, I will go to his +house at once, and send him to look after your poor friend." + +Leonard was about to return thanks for the offer, when the design was +frustrated by Blaize himself, who was so terrified by Judith's looks, +that he could pay no attention to what was going forward; and fearing, +notwithstanding Leonard's assurance to the contrary, that he should be +left behind, he started to his feet, and wrapping the blanket about him, +ran up the steps leading to the cathedral. Leonard and Thirlby followed, +and seeing him dart into the southern aisle, would have pursued him +along it, but were afraid of coming in contact with the many sick +persons by whom it was thronged. They contented themselves, therefore, +with watching his course, and were not a little surprised and alarmed to +find the whole troop of lazars set off after him, making the sacred +walls ring with their cries. Frightened by the clamour, Blaize redoubled +his speed, and, with this ghastly train at his heels, crossed the lower +part of the mid-aisle, and darting through the pillars, took refuge +within Bishop Kempe's Chapel, the door of which stood open, and which he +instantly closed after him. Judith, who had followed the party from the +subterranean church, laughed heartily at the chase of the poor porter, +and uttered an exclamation of regret at its sudden conclusion. Leonard, +however, being apprehensive of mischief from the crowd of sick persons +collected before the door, some of whom were knocking against it and +trying to force it open, addressed himself to a couple of the +attendants, and prevailed on them to accompany him to the chapel. The +assemblage was speedily dispersed, and Blaize hearing Leonard's voice, +instantly opened the door and admitted him; and, as soon as his fears +were allayed, he was placed on a pallet within the chapel, and wrapped +up in blankets, while such remedies as were deemed proper were +administered to him. Committing him to the care of the attendants, and +promising to reward them well for their trouble, Leonard told Blaize he +should go and bring Doctor Hodges to him. Accordingly, he departed, and +finding Thirlby waiting for him at the south door, they went forth +together. + +"I am almost afraid of leaving the poor fellow," said Leonard, +hesitating as he was about to descends the steps. "Judith Malmayns is so +cunning and unscrupulous, that she may find some means of doing him an +injury." + +"Have no fear," replied Thirlby; "she has promised me not to molest him +further." + +"You appear to have a strange influence over her, then," observed +Leonard. "May I ask how you have attained it?" + +"No matter," replied the other. "It must suffice that I am willing to +exercise it in your behalf." + +"And you are not disposed to tell me the nature of the interest you feel +in Nizza Macascree?" pursued Leonard. + +"Not as yet," replied Thirlby, with a look and tone calculated to put a +stop to further inquiries. + +Passing through Saint Austin's Gate, they approached Watling-street, at +the corner of which stood the house where Doctor Hodges had taken up his +temporary abode, that he might visit the sick in the cathedral with +greater convenience, and be more readily summoned whenever his +attendance might be required. Thirlby's knock at the door was answered, +to Leonard's great satisfaction, by the old porter, who was equally +delighted to see him. + +It did not escape Leonard that the porter treated the stranger with +great respect, and he inferred from this that he was a person of some +consideration, as indeed his deportment bespoke him. The old man +informed them that his master had been summoned on a case of urgency +early in the morning, and had not yet returned, neither was he aware +whither he was gone. He promised, however, to acquaint him with Blaize's +condition immediately on his return--"and I need not assure you," he +added to Leonard, "that he will instantly go to him." Thirlby then +inquired of the porter whether Mike Macascree, the blind piper, was +still at Dame Lucas's cottage, in Finsbury Fields, and was answered in +the affirmative by the old man, who added, however, in a voice of much +emotion, that the good dame herself was no more. + +"She died about a fortnight ago of the plague," he said, "and is buried +where she desired to be, beneath an old apple-tree in her garden." + +"Alas!" exclaimed Leonard, brushing away a tear, "her own foreboding is +too truly realised." + +"I am about to visit the old piper," observed Thirlby to the apprentice. +"Will you go with me?" + +The other readily acquiesced, only stipulating that they should call in +Wood-street on the way, that he might inquire whether his master wanted +him. Thirlby agreeing to this, and the old porter repeating his +assurance that Leonard might make himself quite easy as to Blaize, for +he would send his master to him the instant he returned, they set out. +On reaching Wood-street the apprentice gave the customary signal, and +the grocer answering it, he informed him of his unexpected meeting with +Blaize, and of the state in which he had left him. Mr. Bloundel was much +distressed by the intelligence, and telling Leonard that he should not +require him again that night, besought him to observe the utmost +caution. This the apprentice promised, and joining Thirlby, who had +walked forward to a little distance, they struck into a narrow street on +the right, and proceeding along Aldermanbury, soon arrived at the first +postern in the city walls beyond Cripplegate. + +Hitherto, Thirlby had maintained a profound silence, and appeared lost +in melancholy reflection. Except now and then casting a commiserating +glance at the wretched objects they encountered on the road, he kept his +eyes steadily fixed upon the ground, and walked at a brisky pace, as if +desirous of getting out of the city as quickly as possible. +Notwithstanding his weakness, Leonard managed to keep up with him, and +his curiosity being greatly aroused by what had just occurred, he began +to study his appearance and features attentively. Thirlby was full six +feet in height, and possessed a powerful and well-proportioned figure, +and would have been considered extremely handsome but for a certain +sinister expression about the eyes, which were large and dark, but +lighted by a fierce and peculiar fire. His complexion was dark, and his +countenance still bore the impress of the dreadful disease from which he +had recently recovered. A gloomy shade sat about his brow, and it seemed +to Leonard as if he had been led by his passions into the commission of +crimes of which he had afterwards bitterly repented. His deportment was +proud and commanding, and though he exhibited no haughtiness towards the +apprentice, but, on the contrary, treated him with great familiarity, it +was plain he did so merely from a sense of gratitude. His age was under +forty, and his habiliments were rich, though of a sombre colour. + +Passing through the postern, which stood wide open, the watchman having +disappeared, they entered a narrow lane, skirted by a few detached +houses, all of which were shut up, and marked by the fatal cross. As +they passed one of these habitations, they were arrested by loud and +continued shrieks of the most heart-rending nature, and questioning a +watchman who stood at an adjoining door, as to the cause of them, he +said they proceeded from a poor lady who had just lost the last of her +family by the plague. + +"Her husband and all her children, except one daughter, died last week," +said the man, "and though she seemed deeply afflicted, yet she bore her +loss with resignation. Yesterday, her daughter was taken ill, and she +died about two hours ago, since when the poor mother has done nothing +but shriek in the way you hear. Poor soul! she will die of grief, as +many have done before her at this awful time." + +"Something must be done to pacify her," returned Thirlby, in a voice of +much emotion,--"she must be removed from her child." + +"Where can she be removed to?" rejoined the watchman. "Who will receive +her?" + +"At all events, we can remove the object that occasions her affliction," +rejoined Thirlby. "My heart bleeds for her. I never heard shrieks so +dreadful." + +"The dead-cart will pass by in an hour," said the watchman; "and then +the body can be taken away." + +"An hour will be too late," rejoined Thirlby. "If she continues in this +frantic state, she will be dead before that time. You have a hand-barrow +there. Take the body to the plague-pit at once, and I will reward you +for your trouble." + +"We shall find some difficulty in getting into the house," said the +watchman, who evidently felt some repugnance to the task. + +"Not so," replied Thirlby. And pushing forcibly against the door, he +burst it open, and, directed by the cries, entered a room on the right. +The watchman's statement proved correct. Stretched upon a bed in one +corner lay the body of a beautiful girl, while the poor mother was +bending over it in a state bordering on distraction. On seeing Thirlby, +she fled to the further end of the room, but did not desist from her +cries. In fact, she was unable to do so, being under the dominion of the +wildest hysterical passion. In vain Thirlby endeavoured to make her +comprehend by signs the nature of his errand. Waving him off, she +continued shrieking more loudly than ever. Half-stunned by the cries, +and greatly agitated by the sight of the child, whose appearance +reminded him of his own daughter, Thirlby motioned the watchman, who had +followed him into the room, to bring away the body, and rushed forth. +His injunctions were obeyed. The remains of the unfortunate girl were +wrapped in a sheet, and deposited in the hand-barrow. The miserable +mother followed the watchman to the door, but did not attempt to +interfere with him, and having seen the body of her child disposed of in +the manner above described, turned back. The next moment, a heavy sound +proclaimed that she had fallen to the ground, and her shrieks were +hushed. Thirlby and Leonard exchanged sad and significant looks, but +neither of them went back to see what had happened to her. The watchman +shook his head, and setting the barrow in motion, proceeded along a +narrow footpath across the fields. Remarking that he did not take the +direct road to the plague-pit, Leonard called to him, and pointed out +the corner in which it lay. + +"I know where the old plague-pit is, as well as you," replied the +watchman, "but it has been filled these three weeks. The new pit lies in +this direction." So saying, he pursued his course, and they presently +entered a field, in the middle of which lay the plague-pit, as was +evident from the immense mound of clay thrown out of the excavation. + +"That pit is neither so deep nor so wide as the old one," said the +watchman, "and if the plague goes on at this rate, they will soon have +to dig another--that is, if any one should be left alive to undertake +the job." + +And chuckling as if he had said a good thing, he impelled his barrow +forward more quickly. A few seconds brought them near the horrible +chasm. It was more than half full, and in all respects resembled the +other pit, except that it was somewhat smaller. There was the same +heaving and putrefying mass,--the same ghastly objects of every +kind,--the grey-headed old man, the dark-haired maiden, the tender +infant,--all huddled together. Wheeling the barrow to the edge of the +pit, the watchman cast his load into it; and without even tarrying to +throw a handful of soil over it, turned back, and rejoined Thirlby, who +had halted at some distance from the excavation. While the latter was +searching for his purse to reward the watchman, they heard wild shrieks +in the adjoining field, and the next moment perceived the wretched +mother running towards them. Guessing her purpose from his former +experience, Leonard called to the others to stop her, and stretching out +his arms, placed himself in her path. But all their efforts were in +vain. She darted past them, and though Leonard caught hold of her, she +broke from him, and leaving a fragment of her dress in his grasp, flung +herself into the chasm. + +Well knowing that all help was vain, Thirlby placed a few pieces of +money in the watchman's hand, and hurried away. He was followed by +Leonard, who was equally eager to quit the spot. It so chanced that the +path they had taken led them near the site of the old plague-pit, and +Leonard pointed it out to his companion. The latter stopped for a +moment, and then, without saying a word, ran quickly towards it. On +reaching the spot, they found that the pit was completely filled up. The +vast cake of clay with which it was covered had swollen and cracked in +an extraordinary manner, and emitted such a horrible effluvium that they +both instantly retreated. + +"And that is the grave of my poor child," cried Thirlby, halting, and +bursting into a passionate flood of tears. "It would have been a fitting +resting-place for a guilty wretch like me; but for her it is horrible." + +Allowing time for the violence of his grief to subside, Leonard +addressed a few words of consolation to him, and then tried to turn the +current of his thoughts by introducing a different subject. With this +view, he proceeded to detail the piper's mysterious conduct as to the +packet, and concluded by mentioning the piece of gold which Nizza wore +as an amulet, and which she fancied must have some connection with her +early history. + +"I have heard of the packet and amulet from Doctor Hodges," said +Thirlby, "and should have visited the piper on my recovery from the +plague, but I was all impatience to behold Nizza, and could not brook an +instant's delay. But you know his cottage. We cannot be far from it." + +"Yonder it is," replied Leonard, pointing to the little habitation, +which lay at a field's distance from them--"and we are certain to meet +with him, for I hear the notes of his pipe." + +Nor was he deceived, for as they crossed the field, and approached the +cottage, the sounds of a melancholy air played on the pipe became each +instant more distinct. Before entering the gate, they paused for a +moment to listen to the music, and Leonard could not help contrasting +the present neglected appearance of the garden with the neatness it +exhibited when he last saw it. It was overgrown with weeds, while the +drooping flowers seemed to bemoan the loss of their mistress. Leonard's +gaze involuntarily wandered in search of the old apple-tree, and he +presently discovered it. It was loaded with fruit, and the rounded sod +beneath it proclaimed the grave of the ill-fated Dame Lucas. + +Satisfied with this survey, Leonard opened the gate, but had no sooner +set foot in the garden than the loud barking of a dog was heard, and +Bell rushed forth. Leonard instantly called to her, and on hearing his +voice, the little animal instantly changed her angry tones to a gladsome +whine, and, skipping towards him, fawned at his feet. While he stooped +to caress her, the piper, who had been alarmed by the barking, appeared +at the door, and called out to know who was there? At the sight of him, +Thirlby, who was close behind Leonard, uttered a cry of surprise, and +exclaiming, "It is he!" rushed towards him. + +The cry of recognition uttered by the stranger caused the piper to start +as if he had received a sudden and violent shock. The ruddy tint +instantly deserted his cheek, and was succeeded by a deadly paleness; +his limbs trembled, and he bent forward with a countenance of the utmost +anxiety, as if awaiting a confirmation of his fears. When within a +couple of yards of him, Thirlby paused, and having narrowly scrutinized +his features, as if to satisfy himself he was not mistaken, again +exclaimed, though in a lower and deeper tone than before, "It is he!" +and seizing his arm, pushed him into the house, banging the door to +after him in such a manner as to leave no doubt in the apprentice's mind +that his presence was not desired. Accordingly, though extremely anxious +to hear what passed between them, certain their conversation must relate +to Nizza Macascree, Leonard did not attempt to follow, but, accompanied +by Bell, who continued to gambol round him, directed his steps towards +the grave of Dame Lucas. Here he endeavoured to beguile the time in +meditation, but in spite of his efforts to turn his thoughts into a +different channel, they perpetually recurred to what he supposed to be +taking place inside the house. The extraordinary effect produced by +Nizza Macascree on Thirlby--the resemblance he had discovered between +her and some person dear to him--the anxiety he appeared to feel for +her, as evinced by his recent search for her--the mysterious connection +which clearly subsisted between him and the piper--all these +circumstances convinced Leonard that Thirlby was, or imagined himself, +connected by ties of the closest relationship with the supposed piper's +daughter. + +Leonard had never been able to discern the slightest resemblance either +in manner or feature, or in those indescribably slight personal +peculiarities that constitute a family likeness, between Nizza and her +reputed father--neither could he now recall any particular resemblance +between her and Thirlby; still he could not help thinking her beauty and +high-bred looks savoured more of the latter than the former. He came, +therefore, to the conclusion that she must be the offspring of some +early and unfortunate attachment on the part of Thirlby, whose remorse +might naturally be the consequence of his culpable conduct at that time. +His sole perplexity was the piper's connection with the affair; but he +got over this difficulty by supposing that Nizza's mother, whoever she +was, must have committed her to Macascree's care when an infant, +probably with strict injunctions, which circumstances might render +necessary, to conceal her even from her father. Such was Leonard's +solution of the mystery; and feeling convinced that he had made himself +master of the stranger's secret, he resolved to give him to understand +as much as soon as he beheld him again. + +More than half an hour having elapsed, and Thirlby not coming forth, +Leonard began to think sufficient time had been allowed him for private +conference with the piper, and he therefore walked towards the door, and +coughing to announce his approach, raised the latch and entered the +house. He found the pair seated close together, and conversing in a low +and earnest tone. The piper had completely recovered from his alarm, and +seemed perfectly at ease with his companion, while all traces of anger +had disappeared from the countenance of the other. Before them on the +table lay several letters, taken from a packet, the cover of which +Leonard recognised as the one that had been formerly intrusted to him. +Amidst them was the miniature of a lady--at least, it appeared so to +Leonard, in the hasty glance he caught of it; but he could not be quite +sure; for on seeing him, Thirlby closed the case, and placing his hand +on the piper's mouth, to check his further speech, arose. + +"Forgive my rudeness," he said to the apprentice; "but I have been so +deeply interested in what I have just heard, that I quite forgot you +were waiting without. I shall remain here some hours longer, but will +not detain you, especially as I am unable to admit you to our +conference. I will meet you at Doctor Hodges's in the evening, and shall +have much to say to you." + +"I can anticipate some part of your communication," replied Leonard. +"You will tell me you have a daughter still living." + +"You are inquisitive, young man," rejoined Thirlby, sternly. + +"You do me wrong, sir," replied Leonard. "I have no curiosity as regards +yourself; and if I had, would never lower myself in my own estimation to +gratify it. Feeling a strong interest in Nizza Macascree, I am naturally +anxious to know whether my suspicion that a near relationship subsists +between yourself and her is correct." + +"I cannot enter into further explanation now," returned Thirlby. "Meet +me at Doctor Hodges's this evening, and you shall know more. And now +farewell. I am in the midst of a deeply-interesting conversation, which +your presence interrupts. Do not think me rude--do not think me +ungrateful. My anxiety must plead my excuse." + +"None is necessary, sir," replied Leonard. "I will no longer place any +restraint upon you." + +So saying, and taking care not to let Bell out, he passed through the +door, and closed it after him. Having walked to some distance across the +fields, musing on what had just occurred, and scarcely conscious whither +he was going, he threw himself down on the grass, and fell asleep. He +awoke after some time much refreshed, and finding he was considerably +nearer Bishopsgate than any other entrance into the city, determined to +make for it. A few minutes brought him to a row of houses without the +walls, none of which appeared to have escaped infection, and passing +them, he entered the city gate. As he proceeded along the once-crowded +but now utterly-deserted thoroughfare that opened upon him, he could +scarcely believe he was in a spot which had once been the busiest of the +busy haunts of men--so silent, so desolate did it appear! On reaching +Cornhill, he found it equally deserted. The Exchange was closed, and as +Leonard looked at its barred gates, a saddening train of reflection +passed through his mind. His head declined upon his breast, and he +continued lost in a mournful reverie until he was roused by a hand laid +upon his shoulder, and starting--for such a salutation at this season +was alarming--he looked round, and beheld Solomon Eagle. + +"You are looking upon that structure," said the enthusiast, "and are +thinking how much it is changed. Men who possess boundless riches +imagine their power above that of their Maker, and suppose they may +neglect and defy him. But they are mistaken. Where are now the wealthy +merchants who used to haunt those courts and chambers?--why do they not +come here as of old?--why do they not buy and sell, and send their +messengers and ships to the farthest parts of the world? Because the +Lord hath smitten them and driven them forth--'From the least of them +even to the greatest of them,' as the prophet Jeremiah saith, 'every one +has been given to covetousness.' The balances of deceit have been in +their hands. They have cozened their neighbours, and greedily gained +from them, and will find it true what the prophet Ezekiel hath written, +that 'the Lord will pour out his indignation upon them, and consume them +with the fire of his wrath.' Yea, I tell you, unless they turn from +their evil ways--unless they cast aside the golden idol they now +worship, and set up the Holy One of Israel in its stead, a fire will be +sent to consume them, and that pile which they have erected as a temple +to their god shall be burnt to the ground." + +Leonard's heart was too full to make any answer, and the enthusiast, +after a brief pause, again addressed him. "Have you seen Doctor Hodges +pass this way? I am in search of him." + +"On what account?" asked Leonard anxiously. "His advice, I trust, is not +needed on behalf of any one in whom I am interested." + +"No matter," replied Solomon Eagle, in a sombre tone; "have you seen +him?" + +"I have not," rejoined the apprentice; "but he is probably at Saint +Paul's." + +"I have just left the cathedral, and was told he had proceeded to some +house near Cornhill," rejoined the enthusiast. + +"If you have been there, you can perhaps tell me how my master's porter, +Blaize Shotterel, is getting on," said Leonard. + +"I can," replied the enthusiast. "I heard one of the chirurgeons say +that Doctor Hodges had pronounced him in a fair way of recovery. But I +must either find the doctor or go elsewhere. Farewell!" + +"I will go with you in search of him," said Leonard. + +"No, no; you must not--shall not," cried Solomon Eagle. + +"Wherefore not?" asked the apprentice. + +"Do not question me, but leave me," rejoined the enthusiast. + +"Do you know aught of Amabel--of her retreat?" persisted Leonard, who +had a strange misgiving that the enthusiast's errand in some way +referred to her. + +"I do," replied Solomon Eagle, gloomily; "but I again advise you not to +press me further." + +"Answer me one question at least," cried Leonard. "Is she with the Earl +of Rochester?" + +"She is," replied Solomon Eagle; "but I shall allay your fears in that +respect when I tell you she is sick of the plague." + +Leonard heard nothing more, for, uttering a wild shriek, he fell to the +ground insensible. He was aroused to consciousness by a sudden sense of +strangulation, and opening his eyes, beheld two dark figures bending +over him, one of whom was kneeling on his chest. A glance showed him +that this person was Chowles; and instantly comprehending what was the +matter, and aware that the coffin-maker was stripping him previously to +throwing him into the dead-cart, which was standing hard by, he cried +aloud, and struggled desperately to set himself free. Little opposition +was offered; for, on hearing the cry, Chowles quitted his hold, and +retreating to a short distance, exclaimed, with a look of surprise, +"Why, the fellow is not dead, after all!" + +"I am neither dead, nor likely to die, as you shall find to your cost, +rascal, if you do not restore me the clothes you have robbed me of," +cried Leonard, furiously. And chancing to perceive a fork, dropped by +Chowles in his hasty retreat, he snatched it up, and, brandishing it +over his head, advanced towards him. Thus threatened, Chowles tossed him +a rich suit of livery. + +"These are not mine," said the apprentice, gazing at the habiliments. + +"They are better than your own," replied Chowles, "and therefore you +ought to be glad of the exchange. But give me them back again. I have no +intention of making you a present." + +"This is the livery of the Earl of Rochester," cried Leonard. + +"To be sure it is," replied Chowles, with a ghastly smile. "One of his +servants is just dead." + +"Where is the profligate noble?" cried Leonard, eagerly. + +"There is the person who owned these clothes," replied Chowles, pointing +to the dead-cart. "You had better ask him." + +"Where is the Earl of Rochester, I say, villain?" cried Leonard, +menacingly. + +"How should I know?" rejoined Chowles. "Here are your clothes," he +added, pushing them towards him. + +"I will have an answer," cried Leonard. + +"Not from me," replied Chowles. And hastily snatching up the livery, he +put the cart in motion, and proceeded on his road. Leonard would have +followed him, but the state of his attire did not permit him to do so. +Having dressed himself, he hastened to the cathedral, where he soon +found the attendant who had charge of Blaize. + +"Doctor Hodges has been with him," said the man, in reply to his +inquiries after the porter, "and has good hopes of him. But the patient +is not entirely satisfied with the treatment he has received, and wishes +to try some remedies of his own. Were his request granted, all would +soon be over with him." + +"That I am sure of," replied Leonard. "But let us go to him." + +"You must not heed his complaints," returned the attendant. "I assure +you he is doing as well as possible; but he is so dreadfully frightened +at a trifling operation which Doctor Hodges finds it necessary to +perform upon him, that we have been obliged to fasten him to the bed." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Leonard, suspiciously. "Has Judith Malmayns had no +hand in this arrangement?" + +"Judith Malmayns has been absent during the whole of the afternoon," +said the man, "and another nurse has taken her place in Saint Faith's. +She has never been near Blaize since I have had charge of him." + +By this time they had reached the pallet in which the porter was laid. +His eyes and a small portion of his snub-nose were alone visible, his +head being still enveloped by the linen cloth, while his mouth was +covered by blankets. He looked so anxiously at the apprentice, that the +latter removed the covering from his mouth, and enabled him to speak. + +"I am glad to find you are getting on so well," said Leonard, in a +cheerful tone. "Doctor Hodges has been with you, I understand?" + +"He has," groaned Blaize; "but he has done me no good--none whatever. I +could doctor myself much better, if I might be allowed; for I know every +remedy that has been prescribed for the plague; but he would adopt none +that I mentioned to him. I wanted him to place a hot loaf, fresh from +the oven, to the tumour, to draw it; but he would not consent. Then I +asked for a cataplasm, composed of radish-roots, mustard-seed, onions +and garlic roasted, mithridate, salt, and soot from a chimney where wood +only has been burnt. This he liked no better than the first. Next, I +begged for an ale posset with pimpernel soaked in it, assuring him that +by frequently drinking such a mixture, Secretary Naunton drew the +infection from his very heart. But the doctor would have none of it, and +seemed to doubt the fact." + +"What did he do?" inquired Leonard. + +"He applied oil of St. John's wort to the tumour," replied Blaize, with +a dismal groan, and said, "if the scar did not fall off, he must +cauterize it. Oh! I shall never be able to bear the pain of the +operation." + +"Recollect your life is at stake," rejoined Leonard. "You must either +submit to it or die." + +"I know I must," replied Blaize, with a prolonged groan; "but it is a +terrible alternative." + +"You will not find the operation so painful as you imagine," rejoined +Leonard; "and you know I speak from personal experience." + +"You give me great comfort," said Blaize. "And so you really think I +shall get better?" + +"I have no doubt of it, if you keep up your spirits," replied Leonard. +"The worst is evidently over. Behave like a man." + +"I will try to do so," rejoined Blaize. "I have been told that if a +circle is drawn with a blue sapphire round a plague-blotch, it will fall +off. Couldn't we just try the experiment?" + +"It will not do to rely upon it," observed the attendant, with a smile. +"You will find a small knob of red-hot iron, which we call the 'button,' +much more efficacious." + +"Oh dear! oh dear!" exclaimed Blaize, "I already feel that dreadful +button burning into my flesh." + +"On the contrary, you won't feel it at all," replied the attendant. "The +iron only touches the point of the tumour, in which there is no +sensibility." + +"In that case, I don't care how soon the operation is performed," +replied Blaize. + +"Doctor Hodges will choose his own time for it," said the attendant. "In +the mean time, here is a cup of barley-broth for you. You will find it +do you good." + +While the man applied the cup to the poor porter's lips--for he would +not unloose the straps, for fear of mischief--Leonard, who was sickened +by the terrible scene around him, took his departure, and quitted the +cathedral by the great western entrance. Seating himself on one of the +great blocks of stone left there by the workmen employed in repairing +the cathedral, but who had long since abandoned their task, he thought +over all that had recently occurred. Raising his eyes at length, he +looked toward the cathedral. The oblique rays of the sun had quitted the +columns of the portico, which looked cold and grey, while the roof and +towers were glittering in light. In ten minutes more, only the summit of +the central tower caught the last reflection of the declining orb. +Leonard watched the rosy gleam till it disappeared, and then steadfastly +regarded the reverend pile as its hue changed from grey to black, until +at length each pinnacle and buttress, each battlement and tower, was +lost in one vast indistinct mass. Night had fallen upon the city--a +night destined to be more fatal than any that had preceded it; and yet +it was so calm, so beautiful, so clear, that it was scarcely possible to +imagine that it was unhealthy. The destroying angel was, however, +fearfully at work. Hundreds were falling beneath his touch; and as +Leonard wondered how many miserable wretches were at that moment +released from suffering, it crossed him like an icy chill, that among +the number might be Amabel. So forcibly was he impressed by this idea, +that he fell on his knees and prayed aloud. + +He was aroused by hearing the ringing of a bell, which announced the +approach of the dead-cart, and presently afterwards the gloomy vehicle +approached from Ludgate-hill, and moved slowly towards the portico of +the cathedral, where it halted. A great number of the dead were placed +within it, and the driver, ringing his bell, proceeded in the direction +of Cheapside. A very heavy dew had fallen; for as Leonard put his hand +to his clothes, they felt damp, and his long hair was filled with +moisture. Reproaching himself with having needlessly exposed himself to +risk, he was about to walk away, when he heard footsteps at a little +distance, and looking in the direction of the sound, perceived the tall +figure of Thirlby. Calling to him, the other, who appeared to be in +haste, halted for a moment, and telling the apprentice he was going to +Doctor Hodges's, desired him to accompany him thither, and went on. + +* * * * * + + + + +III. THE HOUSE IN NICHOLAS-LANE. + +On reaching Watling-street, Leonard and his companion found Doctor +Hodges was from home. This did not much surprise the apprentice, after +the information he had received from Solomon Eagle, but Thirlby was +greatly disappointed, and eagerly questioned the porter as to the +probable time of his master's return. The man replied that it was quite +uncertain, adding, "He has been in since you were last here, and has +seen Blaize. He had not been gone to the cathedral many minutes when a +gentleman arrived, desiring his instant attendance upon a young woman +who was sick of the plague." + +"Did you hear her name?" asked Leonard and Thirlby, in a breath. + +"No," replied the porter, "neither did I obtain any information +respecting her from the gentleman, who appeared in great distress. But I +observed that my master, on his return, looked much surprised at seeing +him, and treated him with a sort of cold respect." + +"Was the gentleman young or old?" demanded Leonard, hastily. + +"As far as I noticed," replied the porter, "for he kept his face covered +with a handkerchief, I should say he was young--very young." + +"You are sure it was not Lord Rochester?" pursued Leonard. + +"How should I be sure of it," rejoined the porter, "since I have never +seen his lordship that I am aware of? But I will tell you all that +happened, and you can judge for yourselves. My master, as I have just +said, on seeing the stranger, looked surprised and angry, and bowing +gravely, conducted him to his study, taking care to close the door after +him. I did not, of course, hear what passed, but the interview was brief +enough, and the gentleman, issuing forth, said, as he quitted the room, +'You will not fail to come?' To which my master replied, 'Certainly not, +on the terms I have mentioned.' With this, the gentleman hurried out of +the house. Shortly afterwards the doctor came out, and said to me, 'I am +going to attend a young woman who is sick of the plague, and may be +absent for some time. If Mr. Thirlby or Leonard Holt should call, detain +them till my return.'" + +"My heart tells me that the young woman he is gone to visit is no other +than Amabel," said Leonard Holt, sorrowfully. + +"I suspect it is Nizza Macascree," cried Thirlby. "Which way did your +master take?" + +"I did not observe," replied the porter, "but he told me he should cross +London Bridge." + +"I will go into Southwark in quest of him," said Thirlby. "Every moment +is of consequence now." + +"You had better stay where you are," replied the old porter. "It is the +surest way to meet with him." + +Thirlby, however, was too full of anxiety to listen to reason, and his +impatience producing a corresponding effect upon Leonard, though from a +different motive, they set forth together. "If I fail to find him, you +may expect me back ere long," were Thirlby's last words to the porter. +Hurrying along Watling-street, and taking the first turning on the +right, he descended to Thames-street, and made the best of his way +towards the bridge. Leonard followed him closely, and they pursued their +rapid course in silence. By the time they reached the north gate of the +bridge, Leonard found his strength failing him, and halting at one of +the openings between the tall houses overlooking the river, where there +was a wooden bench for the accommodation of passengers, he sank upon it, +and begged Thirlby to go on, saying he would return to Watling-street as +soon as he recovered from his exhaustion. Thirlby did not attempt to +dissuade him from his purpose, but instantly disappeared. + +The night, it has before been remarked, was singularly beautiful. It was +almost as light as day, for the full harvest moon (alas! there was no +harvest for it to smile upon!) having just risen, revealed every object +with perfect distinctness. The bench on which Leonard was seated lay on +the right side of the bridge, and commanded a magnificent reach of the +river, that flowed beneath like a sheet of molten silver. The apprentice +gazed along its banks, and noticed the tall spectral-looking houses on +the right, until his eye finally settled on the massive fabric of Saint +Paul's, the roof and towers of which rose high above the lesser +structures. His meditations were suddenly interrupted by the opening of +a window in the house near him, while a loud splash in the water told +that a body had been thrown into it. He turned away with a shudder, and +at the same moment perceived a watchman, with a halberd upon his +shoulder, advancing slowly towards him from the Southwark side of the +bridge. Pausing as he drew near the apprentice, the watchman +compassionately inquired whether he was sick, and being answered in the +negative, was about to pass on, when Leonard, fancying he recognised his +voice, stopped him. + +"We have met somewhere before, friend," he said, "though where, or under +what circumstances, I cannot at this moment call to mind." + +"Not unlikely," returned the other, roughly, "but the chances are +against our meeting again." + +Leonard heaved a sigh at this remark. "I now recollect where I met you, +friend," he remarked. "It was at Saint Paul's, when I was in search of +my master's daughter, who had been carried off by the Earl of Rochester. +But you were then in the garb of a smith." + +"I recollect the circumstance, too, now you remind me of it," replied +the other. "Your name is Leonard Holt as surely as mine is Robert +Rainbird. I recollect, also, that you offended me about a dog belonging +to the piper's pretty daughter, Nizza Macascree, which I was about to +destroy in obedience to the Lord Mayor's commands. However, I bear no +malice, and if I did, this is not a time to rip up old quarrels." + +"You are right, friend," returned Leonard. "The few of us left ought to +be in charity with each other." + +"Truly, ought we," rejoined Rainbird. "For my own part, I have seen so +much misery within the last few weeks, that my disposition is wholly +changed. I was obliged to abandon my old occupation of a smith, because +my master died of the plague, and there was no one else to employ me. I +have therefore served as a watchman, and in twenty days have stood at +the doors of more than twenty houses. It would freeze your blood were I +to relate the scenes I have witnessed." + +"It might have done formerly," replied Leonard; "but my feelings are as +much changed as your own. I have had the plague twice myself." + +"Then, indeed, you _can_ speak," replied Rainbird. "Thank God, I have +hitherto escaped it! Ah! these are terrible times--terrible times! The +worst that ever London knew. Although I have been hitherto miraculously +preserved myself, I am firmly persuaded no one will escape." + +"I am almost inclined to agree with you," replied Leonard. + +"For the last week the distemper has raged fearfully--fearfully, +indeed," said Rainbird; "but yesterday and to-day have far exceeded all +that have gone before. The distempered have died quicker than cattle of +the murrain. I visited upwards of a hundred houses in the Borough this +morning, and only found ten persons alive; and out of those ten, not +one, I will venture to say, is alive now. It will, in truth, be a mercy +if they are gone. There were distracted mothers raving over their +children,--a young husband lamenting his wife,--two little children +weeping over their dead parents, with none to attend them, none to feed +them,--an old man mourning over his son cut off in his prime. In short, +misery and distress in their worst form,--the streets ringing with +shrieks and groans, and the numbers of dead so great that it was +impossible to carry them off. You remember Solomon Eagle's prophecy?" + +"Perfectly," replied Leonard; "and I lament to see its fulfilment." + +"'The streets shall be covered with grass, and the living shall not be +able to bury their dead,'--so it ran," said Rainbird. "And it has come +to pass. Not a carriage of any description, save the dead-cart, is to be +seen in the broadest streets of London, which are now as green as the +fields without her walls, and as silent as the grave itself. Terrible +times, as I said before--terrible times! The dead are rotting in heaps +in the courts, in the alleys, in the very houses, and no one to remove +them. What will be the end of it all? What will become of this great +city?" + +"It is not difficult to foresee what will become of it," replied +Leonard, "unless it pleases the Lord to stay his vengeful arm. And +something whispers in my ear that we are now at the worst. The scourge +cannot exceed its present violence without working our ruin; and deeply +as we have sinned, little as we repent, I cannot bring myself to believe +that God will sweep his people entirely from the face of the earth." + +"I dare not hope otherwise," rejoined Rainbird, "though I would fain do +so. I discern no symptoms of abatement of the distemper, but, on the +contrary, an evident increase of malignity, and such is the opinion of +all I have spoken with on the subject. Chowles told me he buried two +hundred more yesterday than he had ever done before, and yet he did not +carry a third of the dead to the plague-pit. He is a strange fellow that +Chowles. But for his passion for his horrible calling there is no +necessity for him to follow it, for he is now one of the richest men in +London." + +"He must have amassed his riches by robbery, then," remarked Leonard. + +"True," returned Rainbird. "He helps himself without scruple to the +clothes, goods, and other property, of all who die of the pestilence; +and after ransacking their houses, conveys his plunder in the dead-cart +to his own dwelling." + +"In Saint Paul's?" asked Leonard. + +"No--a large house in Nicholas-lane, once belonging to a wealthy +merchant, who perished, with his family, of the plague," replied +Rainbird. "He has filled it from cellar to garret with the spoil he has +obtained." + +"And how has he preserved it?" inquired the apprentice. + +"The plague has preserved it for him," replied Rainbird. "The few +authorities who now act have, perhaps, no knowledge of his proceedings; +or if they have, have not cared to interfere, awaiting a more favourable +season, if it should ever arrive, to dispossess him of his hoard, and +punish him for his delinquencies; while, in the mean time, they are +glad, on any terms, to avail themselves of his services as a burier. +Other people do not care to meddle with him, and the most daring robber +would be afraid to touch infected money or clothes." + +"If you are going towards Nicholas-lane," said Leonard, as if struck +with a sudden idea, "and will point out to me the house in question, you +will do me a favour." + +Rainbird nodded assent, and they walked on together towards +Fish-street-hill. Ascending it, and turning off on the right, they +entered Great Eastcheap, but had not proceeded far when they were +obliged to turn back, the street being literally choked up with a pile +of carcasses deposited there by the burier's assistants. Shaping their +course along Gracechurch-street, they turned off into Lombard-street, +and as Leonard gazed at the goldsmiths' houses on either side, which +were all shut up, with the fatal red cross on the doors, he could not +help remarking to his companion, "The plague has not spared any of these +on account of their riches." + +"True," replied the other; "and of the thousands who used formerly to +throng this street not one is left. Wo to London!--wo!--wo!" + +Leonard echoed the sentiment, and fell into a melancholy train of +reflection. It has been more than once remarked that the particular day +now under consideration was the one in which the plague exercised its +fiercest dominion over the city; and though at first its decline was as +imperceptible as the gradual diminution of the day after the longest has +passed, yet still the alteration began. On that day, as if death had +known that his power was to be speedily arrested, he sharpened his +fellest arrows, and discharged them with unerring aim. To pursue the +course of the destroyer from house to house--to show with what +unrelenting fury he assailed his victims--to describe their +sufferings--to number the dead left within their beds, thrown into the +streets, or conveyed to the plague-pits--would be to present a narrative +as painful as revolting. On this terrible night it was as hot as if it +had been the middle of June. No air was stirring, and the silence was so +profound, that a slight noise was audible at a great distance. Hushed in +the seemingly placid repose lay the great city, while hundreds of its +inhabitants were groaning in agony, or breathing their last sigh. + +On reaching the upper end of Nicholas-lane, Rainbird stood still for a +moment, and pointed out a large house on the right, just below the old +church dedicated to the saint from which the thoroughfare took its name. +They were about to proceed towards it, when the smith again paused, and +called Leonard's attention to two figures quickly advancing from the +lower end of the street. As the apprentice and his companion stood in +the shade, they could not be seen, while the two persons, being in the +moonlight, were fully revealed. One of them, it was easy to perceive, +was Chowles. He stopped before the door of his dwelling and unfastened +it, and while he was thus occupied, the other person turned his face so +as to catch the full radiance of the moon, disclosing the features of +Sir Paul Parravicin. Before Leonard recovered from the surprise into +which he was thrown by this unexpected discovery, they had entered the +house. + +He then hurried forward, but, to his great disappointment, found the +door locked. Anxious to get into the house without alarming those who +had preceded him, he glanced at the windows; but the shutters were +closed and strongly barred. While hesitating what to do, Rainbird came +up, and guessing his wishes, told him there was a door at the back of +the house by which he might probably gain admittance. Accordingly they +hastened down a passage skirting the churchyard, which brought them to a +narrow alley lying between Nicholas-lane and Abchurch-lane. Tracking it +for about twenty yards, Rainbird paused before a small yard-door, and +trying the latch, found it yielded to his touch. + +Crossing the yard, they came to another door. It was locked, and though +they could have easily burst it open, they preferred having recourse to +an adjoining window, the shutter of which, being carelessly fastened, +was removed without noise or difficulty. In another moment they gained a +small dark room on the ground-floor, whence they issued into a passage, +where, to their great joy, they found a lighted lantern placed on a +chair. Leonard hastily possessed himself of it, and was about to enter a +room on the left when his companion arrested him. + +"Before we proceed further," he said in a low voice, "I must know what +you are about to do?" + +"My purpose will be explained in a word," replied the apprentice in the +same tone. "I suspect that Nizza Macascree is confined here by Sir Paul +Parravicin and Chowles, and if it turns out I am right in my conjecture, +I propose to liberate her. Will you help me?" + +"Humph!" exclaimed Rainbird, "I don't much fancy the job. However, since +I am here, I'll not go back. I am curious to see the coffin-maker's +hoards. Look at yon heap of clothes. There are velvet doublets and +silken hose enow to furnish wardrobes for a dozen court gallants. And +yet, rich as the stuffs are, I would not put the best of them on for all +the wealth of London." + +"Nor I," replied Leonard. "I shall make free, however, with a sword," he +added, selecting one from the heap. "I may need a weapon." + +"I require nothing more than my halberd," observed the smith; "and I +would advise you to throw away that velvet scabbard; it is a certain +harbour for infection." + +Leonard did not neglect the caution, and pushing open the door, they +entered a large room which resembled an upholsterer's shop, being +literally crammed with chairs, tables, cabinets, moveable cupboards, +bedsteads, curtains, and hangings, all of the richest description. + +"What I heard is true," observed Rainbird, gazing around in +astonishment. "Chowles must have carried off every thing he could lay +hands upon. What can he do with all that furniture?" + +"What the miser does with his store," replied Leonard: "feast his eyes +with it, but never use it." + +They then proceeded to the next room. It was crowded with books, +looking-glasses, and pictures; many of them originally of great value, +but greatly damaged by the careless manner in which they were piled one +upon another. A third apartment was filled with flasks of wine, with +casks probably containing spirits, and boxes, the contents of which they +did not pause to examine. A fourth contained male and female +habiliments, spread out like the dresses in a theatrical wardrobe. Most +of these garments were of the gayest and costliest description, and of +the latest fashion, and Leonard sighed as he looked upon them, and +thought of the fate of those they had so lately adorned. + +"There is contagion enough in those clothes to infect a whole city," +said Rainbird, who regarded them with different feelings. "I have half a +mind to set fire to them." + +"It were a good deed to do so," returned Leonard; "but it must not be +done now. Let us go upstairs. These are the only rooms below." + +Accordingly, they ascended the staircase, and entered chamber after +chamber, all of which were as full of spoil as those they had just +visited; but they could find no one, nor was there any symptom that the +house was tenanted. They next stood still within the gallery, and +listened intently for some sound to reveal those they sought, but all +was still and silent as the grave. + +"We cannot be mistaken," observed Leonard. "It is clear this house is +the receptacle for Chowles's plunder. Besides, we should not have found +the lantern burning if they had gone forth again. No, no; they must be +hidden somewhere, and I will not quit the place till I find them." Their +search, however, was fruitless. They mounted to the garrets, opened +every door, and glanced into every corner. Still, no one was to be seen. + +"I begin to think Nizza cannot be here," said the apprentice; "but I am +resolved not to depart without questioning Chowles on the subject." + +"You must find him first," rejoined Rainbird. "If he is anywhere, he +must be in the cellar, for we have been into every room in this part of +the house. For my own part, I think you had better abandon the search +altogether. No good will come of it." + +Leonard, however, was not to be dissuaded, and they went downstairs. A +short flight of stone steps brought them to a spacious kitchen, but it +was quite empty, and seemed to have been long disused. They then peeped +into the scullery adjoining, and were about to retrace their steps, when +Rainbird plucked Leonard's sleeve to call attention to a gleam of light +issuing from a door which stood partly ajar, in a long narrow passage +leading apparently to the cellars. + +"They are there," he said, in a whisper. + +"So I see," replied Leonard, in the same tone. And raising his finger to +his lips in token of silence, he stole forward on the points of his feet +and cautiously opened the door. + +At the further end of the cellar--for such it was--knelt Chowles, +examining with greedy eyes the contents of a large chest, which, from +the hasty glance that Leonard caught of it, appeared to be filled with +gold and silver plate. A link stuck against the wall threw a strong +light over the scene, and showed that the coffin-maker was alone. As +Leonard advanced, the sound of his footsteps caught Chowles's ear, and +uttering a cry of surprise and alarm, he let fall the lid of the chest, +and sprang to his feet. + +"What do you want?" he cried, looking uneasily round, as if in search of +some weapon. "Are you come to rob me?" + +"No," replied Leonard; "neither are we come to reclaim the plunder you +have taken from others. We are come in search of Nizza Macascree." + +"Then you have come on a fool's errand," replied Chowles, regaining his +courage, "for she is not here. I know nothing of her." + +"That is false," replied Leonard. "You have just conducted Sir Paul +Parravicin to her." + +This assertion on the part of the apprentice, which he thought himself +justified under the circumstances in making, produced a strong effect on +Chowles. He appeared startled and confounded. "What right have you to +play the spy upon me thus?" he faltered. + +"The right that every honest man possesses to check the designs of the +wicked," replied Leonard. "You admit she is here. Lead me to her +hiding-place without more ado." + +"If you know where it is," rejoined Chowles, who now perceived the trick +that had been practised upon him, "you will not want me to conduct you +to it. Neither Nizza nor Sir Paul Parravicin are here." + +"That is false, prevaricating scoundrel," cried Leonard. "My companion +and I saw you enter the house with your profligate employer. And as we +gained admittance a few minutes after you, it is certain no one can have +left it. Lead me to Nizza's retreat instantly, or I will cut your +throat." And seizing Chowles by the collar, he held the point of his +sword to his breast. + +"Use no violence," cried Chowles, struggling to free himself, "and I +will take you wherever you please. This way--this way." And he motioned +as if he would take them upstairs. + +"Do not think to mislead me, villain," cried Leonard, tightening his +grasp. "We have searched every room in the upper part of the house, and +though we have discovered the whole of your ill-gotten hoards, we have +found nothing else. No one is there." + +"Well, then," rejoined Chowles, "since the truth must out, Sir Paul is +in the next house. But it is his own abode. I have nothing to do with +it, nothing whatever. He is accountable for his own actions, and you +will be accountable to _him_ if you intrude upon his privacy. Release +me, and I swear to conduct you to him. But you will take the +consequences of your rashness upon yourself. I only go upon compulsion." + +"I am ready to take any consequences," replied Leonard, resolutely. + +"Come along, then," said Chowles, pointing down the passage. + +"You mean us no mischief?" cried Leonard, suspiciously. "If you do, the +attempt will cost you your life." + +Chowles made no answer, but moved along the passage as quickly as +Leonard, who kept fast hold of him and walked by his side, would permit. +Presently they reached a door, which neither the apprentice nor Rainbird +had observed before, and which admitted them into an extensive vault, +with a short staircase at the further end, communicating with a passage +that Leonard did not require to be informed was in another house. + +Here Chowles paused. "I think it right to warn you you are running into +a danger from which ere long you will be glad to draw back, young man," +he said, to the apprentice. "As a friend, I advise you to proceed no +further in the matter." + +"Waste no more time in talking," cried Leonard, fiercely, and forcing +him forward as he spoke, "where is Nizza? Lead me to her without an +instant's delay." + +"A wilful man must have his way," returned Chowles, hurrying up the main +staircase. "It is not my fault if any harm befalls you." + +They had just gained the landing when a door on the right was suddenly +thrown open, and Sir Paul Parravicin stood before them. He looked +surprised and startled at the sight of the apprentice, and angrily +demanded his business. "I am come for Nizza Macascree," replied Leonard, +"whom you and Chowles have detained against her will." + +Parravicin glanced sternly and inquiringly at the coffin-maker. + +"I have protested to him that she is not here, Sir Paul," said the +latter, "but he will not believe me, and has compelled me, by threats of +taking my life, to bring him and his companion to you." + +"Then take them back again," rejoined Parravicin, turning haughtily upon +his heel. + +"That answer will not suffice, Sir Paul," cried Leonard--"I will not +depart without her." + +"How!" exclaimed the knight, drawing his sword. "Do you dare to intrude +upon my presence? Begone! or I will punish your presumption." And he +prepared to attack the apprentice. + +"Advance a footstep," rejoined Leonard, who had never relinquished his +grasp of Chowles, "and I pass my sword through this man's body. Speak, +villain," he continued, in a tone so formidable that the coffin-maker +shook with apprehension--"is she here or not?" Chowles gazed from him to +the knight, whose deportment was equally menacing and appeared +bewildered with terror. + +"It is needless," said Leonard, "your looks answer for you. She _is_." + +"Yes, yes, I confess she is," replied Chowles. + +"You hear what he says, Sir Paul," remarked Leonard. + +"His fears would make him assert anything," rejoined Parravicin, +disdainfully. "If you do not depart instantly, I will drive you forth." + +"Sir Paul Parravicin," rejoined Leonard, in an authoritative tone, "I +command you in the king's name, to deliver up this girl." + +Parravicin laughed scornfully. "The king has no authority here," he +said. + +"Pardon me, Sir Paul," rejoined Chowles, who began to be seriously +alarmed at his own situation, and eagerly grasped at the opportunity +that offered of extricating himself from it--"pardon me. If it is the +king's pleasure she should be removed, it materially alters the case, +and I can be no party to her detention." + +"Both you and your employer will incur his majesty's severest +displeasure, by detaining her after this notice," remarked Leonard. + +"Before I listen to the young man's request, let him declare that it is +his intention to deliver her up to the king," rejoined Parravicin, +coldly. + +"It is my intention to deliver her up to one who has the best right to +take charge of her," returned Leonard. + +"You mean her father," sneered Parravicin. + +"Ay, but not the person you suppose to be her father," replied Leonard. +"An important discovery has been made respecting her parentage." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Parravicin, with a look of surprise. "Who has the +honour to be her father?" + +"A gentleman named Thirlby," replied Leonard. + +"What!" cried Parravicin, starting, and turning pale. "Did you say +Thirlby?" + +The apprentice reiterated his assertion. Parravicin uttered a deep +groan, and pressed his hand forcibly against his brow for some moments, +during which the apprentice watched him narrowly. He then controlled +himself by a powerful effort, and returned his sword to its scabbard. + +"Come into this room, young man," he said to the apprentice, "and let +your companion remain outside with Chowles. Fear nothing. I intend you +no injury." + +"I do not distrust you," replied Leonard, "and if I did, should have no +apprehension." And motioning Rainbird to remain where he was, he entered +the room with the knight, who instantly closed the door. + +Parravicin's first proceeding was to question him as to his reasons for +supposing Nizza to be Thirlby's daughter, and clearly perceiving the +deep interest his interrogator took in the matter, and the favourable +change that, from some unknown cause, had been wrought in his +sentiments, the apprentice did not think fit to hide anything from him. +Parravicin's agitation increased as he listened to the recital; and at +last, overcome by emotion, he sank into a chair, and covered his face +with his hands. Recovering himself in a short time, he arose, and began +to pace the chamber to and fro. + +"What I have told you seems to have disturbed you, Sir Paul," remarked +Leonard. "May I ask the cause of your agitation?" + +"No, man, you may not," replied Parravicin, angrily. And then suddenly +checking himself, he added, with forced calmness, "And so you parted +with Mr. Thirlby on London Bridge, and you think he will return to +Doctor Hodges's residence in Watling-street." + +"I am sure of it," replied Leonard. + +"I must see him without delay," rejoined Parravicin. + +"I will take you to him," remarked Leonard; "but first I must see +Nizza." + +Parravicin walked to a table, on which stood a small silver bell, and +ringing it, the summons was immediately answered by an old woman. He was +about to deliver a message to her, when the disturbed expression of her +countenance struck him, and he hastily inquired the cause of it. + +"You must not see the young lady to-night, Sir Paul," said the old +woman. + +"Why not?" demanded the knight, hastily. "Why not?" + +"Because--but you frighten me so that I dare not speak," was the answer. + +"I will frighten you still more if you keep me in this state of +suspense," rejoined Parravicin, furiously. "Is she ill?" + +"I fear she has got the plague," returned the old woman. "Now you can +see her if you think proper." + +"_I_ will see her," said Leonard. "I have no fear of infection." + +The old woman looked hard at Parravicin, as if awaiting his orders. +"Yes, yes, you can take him to her room," said the knight, who seemed +completely overpowered by the intelligence, "if he chooses to go +thither. But why do you suppose it is the plague?" + +"One cannot well be deceived in a seizure of that kind," replied the old +woman, shaking her head. + +"I thought the disorder never attacked the same person twice," said +Parravicin. + +"I myself am an instance to the contrary," replied Leonard. + +"And, as you have twice recovered, there may be a chance for Nizza," +said Parravicin. "This old woman will take you to her. I will hasten to +Doctor Hodges's residence, and if I should fail in meeting him, will not +rest till I procure assistance elsewhere. Do not leave her till I +return." + +Leonard readily gave a promise to the desired effect, and accompanying +him to the door, told Rainbird what had happened. The latter agreed to +wait below to render any assistance that might be required, and went +downstairs with Parravicin and Chowles. The two latter instantly quitted +the house together, and hastened to Watling-street. + +With a beating heart, Leonard then followed the old woman to Nizza's +chamber. They had to pass through a small anteroom, the door of which +was carefully locked. The suite of apartments occupied by the captive +girl were exquisitely and luxuriously furnished, and formed a striking +contrast to the rest of the house. The air was loaded with perfumes; +choice pictures adorned the walls; and the tables were covered with +books and china ornaments. The windows, however, were strictly barred, +and every precaution appeared to be taken to prevent an attempt at +escape. Leonard cast an anxious look round as he entered the anteroom, +and its luxurious air filled him with anxiety. His conductress, however, +did not allow him time for reflection, but led him into another room, +still more richly furnished than the first, and lighted by a large +coloured lamp, that shed a warm glow around it. An old dwarfed African, +in a fantastic dress, and with a large scimetar stuck in his girdle, +stepped forward on their approach, and shook his head significantly. + +"He is dumb," said the old woman, "but his gestures are easy to be +understood. He means that Nizza is worse." + +Leonard heaved a deep sigh. Passing into a third room, they perceived +the poor girl stretched on a couch placed in a recess at one side. She +heard their footsteps, and without raising her head, or looking towards +them, said, in a weak but determined voice--"Tell your master I will see +him no more. The plague has again attacked me, and I am glad of it, for +it will deliver me from him. It will be useless to offer me any +remedies, for I will not take them." + +"It is not Sir Paul Parravicin," replied the old woman. "I have brought +a stranger, with whose name I am unacquainted, to see you." + +"Then you have done very wrong," replied Nizza. "I will see no one." + +"Not even me, Nizza?" asked Leonard, advancing. The poor girl started at +the sound of his voice, and raising herself on one arm, looked wildly +towards him. As soon as she was satisfied that her fancy did not deceive +her, she uttered a cry of delight, and falling backwards on the couch, +became insensible. + +Leonard and the old woman instantly flew to the poor girl's assistance, +and restoratives being applied, she speedily opened her eyes and fixed +them tenderly and inquiringly on the apprentice. Before replying to her +mute interrogatories, Leonard requested the old woman to leave them--an +order very reluctantly obeyed--and as soon as they were left alone, +proceeded to explain, as briefly as he could, the manner in which he had +discovered her place of captivity. Nizza listened to his recital with +the greatest interest, and though evidently suffering acute pain, +uttered no complaint, but endeavoured to assume an appearance of +composure and tranquillity. + +"I must now tell you all that has befallen me since we last met," she +said, as he concluded. "I will not dwell upon the persecution I endured +from the king, whose passion increased in proportion to my resistance--I +will not dwell upon the arts, the infamous arts, used to induce me to +comply with his wishes--neither will I dwell upon the desperate measure +I had determined to resort to, if driven to the last strait--nor would I +mention the subject at all, except to assure you I escaped contamination +where few escaped it." + +"You need not give me any such assurance," remarked Leonard. + +"While I was thus almost driven to despair," pursued Nizza, "a young +female who attended me, and affected to deplore my situation, offered to +help me to escape. I eagerly embraced the offer; and one night, having +purloined, as she stated, the key of the chamber in which I was lodged, +she conducted me by a back staircase into the palace-gardens. Thinking +myself free, I warmly thanked my supposed deliverer, who hurried me +towards a gate, at which she informed me a man was waiting to guide me +to a cottage about a mile from the city, where I should be in perfect +safety." + +"I see the device," cried Leonard. "But, why--why did you trust her?" + +"What could I do?" rejoined Nizza. "To stay was as bad as to fly, and +might have been worse. At all events, I had no distrust. My companion +opened the gate, and called to some person without. It was profoundly +dark; but I could perceive a carriage, or some other vehicle, at a +little distance. Alarmed at the sight, I whispered my fears to my +companion, and would have retreated; but she laid hold of my hand, and +detained me. The next moment I felt a rude grasp upon my arm. Before I +could cry out, a hand was placed over my mouth so closely as almost to +stifle me; and I was forced into the carriage by two persons, who seated +themselves on either side of me, threatening to put me to death if I +made the slightest noise. The carriage was then driven off at a furious +pace. For some miles it pursued the high road, and then struck into a +lane, where, in consequence of the deep and dangerous ruts, the driver +was obliged to relax his speed. But in spite of all his caution, one of +the wheels sunk into a hole, and in the efforts to extricate it, the +carriage was overturned. No injury was sustained either by me or the +others inside, and the door being forced open without much difficulty, +we were let out. One of my captors kept near me, while the other lent +his assistance to the coachman to set the carriage to rights. It proved, +however, to be so much damaged, that it could not proceed; and, after +considerable delay, my conductors ordered the coachman to remain with it +till further assistance could be sent; and, taking the horses, one of +them, notwithstanding my resistance, placed me beside him, and galloped +off. Having ridden about five miles, we crossed an extensive common, and +passed an avenue of trees, which brought us to the entrance of an old +house. Our arrival seemed to be expected; for the instant we appeared, +the gate was opened, and the old woman you have just seen, and who is +called Mrs. Carteret, together with a dumb African, named Hassan, +appeared at it. Some muttered discourse passed between my conductors and +these persons, which ended in my being committed to the care of Mrs. +Carteret who led me upstairs to a richly-furnished chamber, and urged me +to take some refreshment before I retired to rest, which, however, I +declined." + +"Still, you saw nothing of Sir Paul Parravicin?" asked Leonard. + +"On going downstairs next morning, he was the first person I beheld," +replied Nizza. "Falling upon his knees, he implored my pardon for the +artifice he had practised, and said he had been compelled to have +recourse to it in order to save me from the king. He then began to plead +his own suit; but finding his protestations of passion of no effect, he +became yet more importunate; when, at this juncture, one of the men who +had acted as my conductor on the previous night suddenly entered the +room, and told him he must return to Oxford without an instant's delay, +as the king's attendants were in search of him. Casting a look at me +that made me tremble, he then departed; and though I remained more than +two months in that house, I saw nothing more of him." + +"Did you not attempt to escape during that time?" asked Leonard. + +"I was so carefully watched by Mrs. Carteret and Hassan, that it would +have been vain to attempt it," she replied. "About a week ago, the two +men who had conducted me to my place of captivity, again made their +appearance, and told me I must accompany them to London. I attempted no +resistance, well aware it would be useless; and as the journey was made +by by-roads, three days elapsed before we reached the capital. We +arrived at night, and I almost forgot my own alarm in the terrible +sights I beheld at every turn. It would have been useless to call out +for assistance, for there was no one to afford it. I asked my conductors +if they had brought me there to die, and they answered, sternly, 'It +depended on myself.' At Ludgate we met Chowles, the coffin-maker, and he +brought us to this house. Yesterday, Sir Paul Parravicin made his +appearance, and told me he had brought me hither to be out of the king's +way. He then renewed his odious solicitations. I resisted him as firmly +as before; but he was more determined; and I might have been reduced to +the last extremity but for your arrival, or for the terrible disorder +that has seized me. But I have spoken enough of myself. Tell me what has +become of Amabel?" + +"She, too, has got the plague," replied Leonard, mournfully. + +"Alas! alas!" cried Nizza, bursting into tears; "she is so dear to you, +that I grieve for her far more than for myself." + +"I have not seen her since I last beheld you," said Leonard, greatly +touched by the poor girl's devotion. "She was carried off by the Earl of +Rochester on the same night that you were taken from Kingston Lisle by +the king." + +"And she has been in his power ever since?" demanded Nizza, eagerly. + +"Ever since," repeated Leonard. + +"The same power that has watched over me, I trust has protected her," +cried Nizza, fervently. + +"I cannot doubt it," replied Leonard. "She would now not be alive were +it otherwise. But I have now something of importance to disclose to you. +You remember the stranger we met near the plague-pit in Finsbury Fields, +and whose child I buried?" + +"Perfectly," replied Nizza. + +"What if I tell you he is your father?" said Leonard. + +"What!" cried Nizza, in the utmost surprise. "Have I, then, been +mistaken all these years in supposing the piper to be my father?" + +"You have," replied Leonard. "I cannot explain more to you at present; +but a few hours will reveal all. Thirlby is the name of your father. +Have you ever heard it before?" + +"Never," returned Nizza. "It is strange what you tell me. I have often +reproached myself for not feeling a stronger affection for the piper, +who always treated me with the kindness of a parent. But it now seems +the true instinct was wanting. Tell me your reasons for supposing this +person to be my father." + +As Leonard was about to reply, the door was opened by Mrs. Carteret, who +said that Sir Paul Parravicin had just returned with Doctor Hodges and +another gentleman. The words were scarcely uttered, when Thirlby rushed +into the room, and, flinging himself on his knees before the couch, +cried, "At last I have found you--my child! my child!" The surprise +which Nizza must have experienced at such an address was materially +lessened by what Leonard had just told her; and, after earnestly +regarding the stranger for some time, she exclaimed, in a gentle voice, +"My father!" + +Thirlby sprang to his feet, and would have folded her in his arms, if +Doctor Hodges, who by this time had reached the couch, had not prevented +him. "Touch her not, or you destroy yourself," he cried. + +"I care not if I do," rejoined Thirlby. "The gratification would be +cheaply purchased at the price of my life; and if I could preserve hers +by the sacrifice, I would gladly make it." + +"No more of this," cried Hodges, impatiently, "or you will defeat any +attempt I may make to cure her. You had better not remain here. Your +presence agitates her." + +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. + +"Your anxiety is natural," returned Thirlby, "but you may rest +satisfied, if Doctor Hodges has seen her, he has done all that human aid +can effect. But as you must perforce wait his coming forth, I will +endeavour to beguile the tedious interval by relating to you so much of +my history as refers to Nizza Macascree." + +After a brief pause, he commenced. "You must know, then, that in my +youth I became desperately enamoured of a lady named Isabella Morley. +She was most beautiful--but I need not enlarge upon her attractions, +since you have beheld her very image in Nizza. When I first met her she +was attached to another, but I soon rid myself of my rival. I quarrelled +with him, and slew him in a duel. After a long and urgent suit, for the +successful issue of which I was mainly indebted to my rank and wealth, +which gave great influence with her parents, Isabella became mine. But I +soon found out she did not love me. In consequence of this discovery, I +became madly jealous, and embittered her life and my own by constant, +and, now I know too well, groundless suspicions. She had borne me a son, +and in the excess of my jealous fury, fancying the child was not my own, +I threatened to put it to death. This violence led to the unhappy result +I am about to relate. Another child was born, a daughter--need I say +Nizza, or to give her her proper name, Isabella, for she was so +christened after her mother--and one night--one luckless +night,--maddened by some causeless doubt, I snatched the innocent babe +from her mother's arms, and if I had not been prevented by the +attendants, who rushed into the room on hearing their mistress's +shrieks, should have destroyed her. After awhile, I became pacified, and +on reviewing my conduct more calmly on the morrow, bitterly reproached +myself, and hastened to express my penitence to my wife. 'You will never +have an opportunity of repeating your violence,' she said; 'the object +of your cruel and unfounded suspicions is gone.'--'Gone!' I exclaimed; +'whither?' And as I spoke I looked around the chamber. But the babe was +nowhere to be seen. In answer to my inquiries, my wife admitted that she +had caused her to be removed to a place of safety, but refused, even on +my most urgent entreaties, accompanied by promises of amended conduct, +to tell me where. I next interrogated the servants, but they professed +entire ignorance of the matter. For three whole days I made ineffectual +search for the child, and offered large rewards to any one who would +bring her to me. But they failed to produce her; and repairing to my +wife's chamber, I threatened her with the most terrible consequences if +she persisted in her vindictive project. She defied me, and, transported +with rage, I passed my sword through her body, exclaiming as I dealt the +murderous blow, 'You have sent the brat to her father--to your lover, +madam.' Horror and remorse seized me the moment I had committed the +ruthless act, and I should have turned my sword against myself, if I had +not been stayed by the cry of my poor victim, who implored me to hold my +hand. 'Do not add crime to crime,' she cried; 'you have done me grievous +wrong. I have not, indeed, loved you, because my affections were not +under my control, but I have been ever true to you, and this I declare +with my latest breath. I freely forgive you, and pray God to turn your +heart.' And with these words she expired. I was roused from the +stupefaction into which I was thrown by the appearance of the servants. +Heaping execrations upon me, they strove to seize me; but I broke +through them, and gained a garden at the back of my mansion, which was +situated on the bank of the Thames, not far from Chelsea. This garden +ran down to the river side, and was defended by a low wall, which I +leapt, and plunged into the stream. A boat was instantly sent in pursuit +of me, and a number of persons ran along the banks, all eager for my +capture. But being an excellent swimmer, I tried to elude them, and as I +never appeared again, it was supposed I was drowned." + +"And Nizza, or as I ought now to call her, Isabella, was confided, I +suppose, to the piper?" inquired Leonard. + +"She was confided to his helpmate," replied Thirlby, "who had been nurse +to my wife. Mike Macascree was one of my father's servants, and was in +his younger days a merry, worthless fellow. The heavy calamity under +which he now labours had not then befallen him. On taking charge of my +daughter, his wife received certain papers substantiating the child's +origin, together with a miniature, and a small golden amulet. The papers +and miniature were delivered by her on her death-bed to the piper, who +showed them to me to-night." + +"And the amulet I myself have seen," remarked Leonard. + +"To resume my own history," said Thirlby--"after the dreadful +catastrophe I have related, I remained concealed in London for some +months, and was glad to find the report of my death generally believed. +I then passed over into Holland, where I resided for several years, in +the course of which time I married the widow of a rich merchant, who +died soon after our union, leaving me one child." And he covered his +face with his hands to hide his emotion. After awhile he proceeded: + +"Having passed many years, as peacefully as one whose conscience was so +heavily burdened as mine could hope to pass them, in Amsterdam, I last +summer brought my daughter, around whom my affections were closely +twined, to London, and took up my abode in the eastern environs of the +city. There again I was happy--too happy!--until at last the plague +came. But why should I relate the rest of my sad story?" he added, in a +voice suffocated with emotion--"you know it as well as I do." + +"You said you had a son," observed Leonard, after a pause--"Is he yet +living?" + +"He is," replied Thirlby, a shade passing over his countenance. "On my +return to England I communicated to him through Judith Malmayns, who is +my foster-sister, that I was still alive, telling him the name I had +adopted, and adding, I should never disturb him in the possession of his +title and estates." + +"Title!" exclaimed Leonard. + +"Ay, title!" echoed Thirlby. "The title I once bore was that of Lord +Argentine." + +"I am glad to hear it," said Leonard, "for I began to fear Sir Paul +Parravicin was your son." + +"Sir Paul Parravicin, or, rather, the Lord Argentine, for such is his +rightful title, _is_ my son," returned Thirlby; "and I lament to own I +am his father. When among his worthless associates,--nay, even with the +king--he drops the higher title, and assumes that by which you have +known him; and it is well he does so, for his actions are sufficient to +tarnish a far nobler name than that he bears. Owing to this disguise I +knew not he was the person who carried off my daughter. But, thank +Heaven, another and fouler crime has been spared us. All these things +have been strangely explained to me to-night. And thus, you see, young +man, the poor piper's daughter turns out to be the Lady Isabella +Argentine." Before an answer could be returned, the door was opened by +Hodges, and both starting to their feet, hurried towards him. + + + + +IV. THE TRIALS OF AMABEL. + +It will now be necessary to return to the period of Amabel's abduction +from Kingston Lisle. The shawl thrown over her head prevented her cries +from being heard; and, notwithstanding her struggles, she was placed on +horseback before a powerful man, who galloped off with her along the +Wantage-road. After proceeding at a rapid pace for about two miles, her +conductor came to a halt, and she could distinguish the sound of other +horsemen approaching. At first she hoped it might prove a rescue; but +she was quickly undeceived. The shawl was removed, and she beheld the +Earl of Rochester, accompanied by Pillichody, and some half-dozen +mounted attendants. The earl would have transferred her to his own +steed, but she offered such determined resistance to the arrangement, +that he was compelled to content himself with riding by her aide. All +his efforts to engage her in conversation were equally unsuccessful. She +made no reply to his remarks, but averted her gaze from him; and, +whenever he approached, shrank from him with abhorrence. The earl, +however, was not easily repulsed, but continued his attentions and +discourse, as if both had been favourably received. + +In this way they proceeded for some miles, one of the earl's attendants, +who was well acquainted with the country, being in fact a native of it, +serving as their guide. They had quitted the Wantage-road, and leaving +that ancient town, renowned as the birthplace of the great Alfred, on +the right, had taken the direction of Abingdon and Oxford. It was a +lovely evening, and their course led them through many charming places. +But the dreariest waste would have been as agreeable as the richest +prospect to Amabel. She noted neither the broad meadows, yet white from +the scythe, nor the cornfields waving with their deep and abundant, +though yet immature crops; nor did she cast even a passing glance at any +one of those green spots which every lane offers, and upon which the eye +of the traveller ordinarily delights to linger. She rode beneath a +natural avenue of trees, whose branches met overhead like the arches of +a cathedral, and was scarcely conscious of their pleasant shade. She +heard neither the song of the wooing thrush, nor the cry of the startled +blackbird, nor the evening hymn of the soaring lark. Alike to her was +the gorse-covered common, along which they swiftly speeded, and the +steep hill-side up which they more swiftly mounted. She breathed not the +delicious fragrance of the new-mown hay, nor listened to the distant +lowing herds, the bleating sheep, or the cawing rooks. She thought of +nothing but her perilous situation,--heard nothing but the voice of +Rochester,--felt nothing but the terror inspired by his presence. + +As the earl did not desire to pass through any village, if he could help +it, his guide led him along the most unfrequented roads; but in spite of +his caution, an interruption occurred which had nearly resulted in +Amabel's deliverance. While threading a narrow lane, they came suddenly +upon a troop of haymakers, in a field on the right, who, up to that +moment, had been hidden from view by the high hedges. On seeing them, +Amabel screamed loudly for assistance, and was instantly answered by +their shouts. Rochester ordered his men to gallop forward, but the road +winding round the meadow, the haymakers were enabled to take a shorter +cut and intercept them. Leaping the hedge, a stout fellow rushed towards +Amabel's conductor, and seized the bridle of his steed. He was followed +by two others, who would have instantly liberated the captive girl, if +the earl had not, with great presence of mind, cried out, "Touch her +not, as you value your lives! She is ill of the plague!" + +At this formidable announcement, which operated like magic upon Amabel's +defenders, and made them fall back more quickly than the weapons of the +earl's attendants could have done, they retreated, and communicating +their fears to their comrades, who were breaking through the hedge in +all directions, and hurrying to their aid, the whole band took to their +heels, and, regardless of Amabel's continued shrieks, never stopped till +they supposed themselves out of the reach of infection. The earl was +thus at liberty to pursue his way unmolested, and laughing heartily at +the success of his stratagem, and at the consternation he had created +among the haymakers, pressed forward. + +Nothing further occurred till, in crossing the little river Ock, near +Lyford, the horse ridden by Amabel's conductor missed its footing, and +precipitated them both into the water. No ill consequences followed the +accident. Throwing himself into the shallow stream, Rochester seized +Amabel, and placed her beside him on his own steed. A deathly paleness +overspread her countenance, and a convulsion shook her frame as she was +thus brought into contact with the earl, who, fearing the immersion +might prove dangerous in her present delicate state of health, quickened +his pace to procure assistance. Before he had proceeded a hundred yards, +Amabel fainted. Gazing at her with admiration, and pressing her +inanimate frame to his breast, Rochester imprinted a passionate kiss on +her cheek. + +"By my soul!" he mentally ejaculated, "I never thought I could be so +desperately enamoured. I would not part with her for the crown of these +realms." + +While considering whither he should take her, and much alarmed at her +situation, the man who acted as guide came to his relief. Halting till +the earl came up, he said, "If you want assistance for the young lady, +my lord, I can take you to a good country inn, not far from this, where +she will be well attended to, and where, as it is kept by my father, I +can answer that no questions will be asked." + +"Precisely what I wish, Sherborne," replied Rochester. "We will halt +there for the night. Ride on as fast as you can." + +Sherborne struck spurs into his steed, and passing Kingston Bagpuze, +reached the high road between Abingdon and Faringdon, at the corner of +which stood the inn in question,--a good-sized habitation, with large +stables and a barn attached to it. Here he halted, and calling out in a +loud and authoritative voice, the landlord instantly answered the +summons; and, on being informed by his son of the rank of his guest, +doffed his cap, and hastened to assist the earl to dismount. But +Rochester declined his services, and bidding him summon his wife, she +shortly afterwards made her appearance in the shape of a stout +middle-aged dame. Committing Amabel to her care, the earl then alighted, +and followed them into the house. + +The Plough, for so the inn was denominated, was thrown into the utmost +confusion by the arrival of the earl and his suite. All the ordinary +frequenters of the inn were ejected, while the best parlour was +instantly prepared for the accommodation of his lordship and Pillichody. +But Rochester was far more anxious for Amabel than himself, and could +not rest for a moment till assured by Dame Sherborne that she was +restored to sensibility, and about to retire to rest. He then became +easy, and sat down to supper with Pillichody. So elated was he by his +success, that, yielding to his natural inclination for hard drinking, he +continued to revel so freely and so long with his follower, that +daybreak found them over their wine, the one toasting the grocer's +daughter, and the other Patience, when they both staggered off to bed. + +A couple of hours sufficed Rochester to sleep off the effects of his +carouse. At six o'clock he arose, and ordered his attendants to prepare +to set out without delay. When all was ready, he sent for Amabel, but +she refused to come downstairs, and finding his repeated messages of no +avail, he rushed into her room, and bore her, shrieking to his steed. + +In an hour after this, they arrived at an old hall, belonging to the +earl, in the neighbourhood of Oxford. Amabel was entrusted to the care +of a female attendant, named Prudence, and towards evening, Rochester, +who was burning with impatience for an interview, learnt, to his +infinite disappointment, that she was so seriously unwell, that if he +forced himself into her presence, her life might be placed in jeopardy. +She continued in the same state for several days, at the end of which +time, the chirurgeon who attended her, and who was a creature of the +earl's, pronounced her out of danger. Rochester then sent her word by +Prudence that he must see her in the course of that day, and a few hours +after the delivery of the message, he sought her room. She was much +enfeebled by illness, but received him with great self-possession. + +"I cannot believe, my lord," she said, "that you desire to destroy me, +and when I assure you--solemnly assure you, that if you continue to +persecute me thus, my death, will be the consequence, I am persuaded you +will desist, and suffer me to depart." + +"Amabel," rejoined the earl, passionately, "is it possible you can be so +changed towards me? Nothing now interferes to prevent our union." + +"Except my own determination to the contrary, my lord," she replied. "I +can never be yours." + +"Wherefore not?" asked the earl, half angrily, half reproachfully. + +"Because I know and feel that I should condemn myself to wretchedness," +she replied. "Because--for since your lordship will force the truth from +me, I must speak out--I have learnt to regard your character in its true +light,--and because my heart is wedded to heaven." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed the earl, contemptuously; "you have been listening so +long to your saintly father's discourses, that you fancy them applicable +to yourself. But you are mistaken in me," he added, altering his tone; +"I see where the main difficulty lies. You think I am about to delude +you, as before, into a mock marriage. But I swear to you you are +mistaken. I love you so well that I would risk my temporal and eternal +happiness for you. It will rejoice me to raise you to my own rank--to +place you among the radiant beauties of our sovereign's court, the +brightest of whom you will outshine, and to devote my whole life to your +happiness." + +"It is too late," sighed Amabel. + +"Why too late?" cried the earl, imploringly. "We have gone through +severe trials, it is true. I have been constantly baffled in my pursuit +of you, but disappointment has only made me love you more devotedly. Why +too late? What is to prevent our nuptials from taking place +to-day--to-morrow--when you will? The king himself shall be present at +the ceremony, and shall give you away. Will this satisfy your scruples? +I know I have offended you. I know I deserve your anger. But the love +that prompted me to act thus, must also plead my pardon." + +"Strengthen me!" she murmured, looking supplicatingly upwards. +"Strengthen me, for my trial is very severe." + +"Be not deceived, Amabel," continued Rochester, yet more ardently; "that +you love me I am well assured, however strongly you may at this moment +persuade yourself to the contrary. Be not governed by your father's +strait-laced and puritanical opinions. Men, such as he is, cannot judge +of fiery natures like mine. I myself have had to conquer a stubborn and +rebellious spirit,--the demon pride. But I have conquered. Love has +achieved the victory,--love for you. I offer you my heart, my hand, my +title. A haughty noble makes this offer to a grocer's daughter. Can +you--will you refuse me?" + +"I can and do, my lord," she replied. "I have achieved a yet harder +victory. With me, principle has conquered love. I no longer respect you, +no longer love you--and, therefore, cannot wed you." + +"Rash and obstinate girl," cried the earl, unable to conceal his +mortification; "you will bitterly repent your inconsiderate conduct. I +offer you devotion such as no other person could offer you, and rank +such as no other is likely to offer you. You are now in my power, and +you _shall_ be mine,--in what way rests with yourself. You shall have a +week to consider the matter. At the end of that time, I will again renew +my proposal. If you accept it, well and good. If not, you know the +alternative." And without waiting for a reply, he quitted the room. + +He was as good as his word. During the whole of the week allowed Amabel +for consideration, he never intruded upon her, nor was his name at any +time mentioned by her attendants. If she had been, indeed, Countess of +Rochester, she could not have been treated with greater respect than was +shown her. The apartment allotted her opened upon a large garden, +surrounded by high walls, and she walked within it daily. Her serenity +of mind remained undisturbed; her health visibly improved; and, what was +yet more surprising, she entirely recovered her beauty. The whole of her +time not devoted to exercise, was spent in reading, or in prayer. On the +appointed day, Rochester presented himself. She received him with the +most perfect composure, and with a bland look, from which he augured +favourably. He waved his hand to the attendants, and they were alone. + +"I came for your answer, Amabel," he said; "but I scarcely require it, +being convinced from your looks that I have nothing to fear. Oh! why did +you not abridge this tedious interval? Why not inform me you had altered +your mind? But I will not reproach you. I am too happy to complain of +the delay." + +"I must undeceive you, my lord," returned Amabel, gravely. "No change +has taken place in my feelings. I still adhere to the resolution I had +come to when we last parted." + +"How!" exclaimed the earl, his countenance darkening, and the evil look +which Amabel had before noticed taking possession of it. "One moment +lured on, and next rebuffed. But no--no!" he added, constraining +himself, "you cannot mean it. It is not in woman's nature to act thus. +You have loved me--you love me still. Make me happy--make yourself +happy." + +"My lord," she replied, "strange and unnatural as my conduct may appear, +you will find it consistent. You have lost the sway you had once over +me, and, for the reasons I have already given you, I can never be +yours." + +"Oh, recall your words, Amabel," he cried, in the most moving tones he +could command; "if you have no regard for me--at least have compassion. +I will quit the court if you desire it; will abandon title, rank, +wealth; and live in the humblest station with you. You know not what I +am capable of when under the dominion of passion. I am capable of the +darkest crimes, or of the brightest virtues. The woman who has a man's +heart in her power may mould it to her own purposes, be they good or +ill. Reject me, and you drive me to despair, and plunge me into guilt. +Accept me, and you may lead me into any course, you please." + +"Were I assured of this--" cried Amabel. + +"Rest assured of it," returned the earl, passionately. "Oh, yield to +impulses of natural affection, and do not suffer a cold and calculating +creed to chill your better feelings. How many a warm and loving heart +has been so frozen! Do not let yours be one of them. Be mine! be mine!" + +Amabel looked at him earnestly for a moment; while he, assured that he +had gained his point, could not conceal a slightly triumphant smile. + +"Now, your answer!" he cried. "My life hangs upon it." + +"I am still unmoved," she replied, coldly, and firmly. + +"Ah!" exclaimed the earl with a terrible imprecation, and starting to +his feet. "You refuse me. Be it so. But think not that you shall escape +me. No, you are in my power, and I will use it. You shall be mine and +without the priest's interference. I will not degrade myself by an +alliance with one so lowly born. The strongest love is nearest allied to +hatred, and mine has become hatred--bitter hatred. You shall be mine, I +tell you, and when I am indifferent to you, I will cast you off. Then, +when you are neglected, despised, shunned, you will regret--deeply but +unavailingly--your rejection of my proposals." + +"No, my lord, I shall never regret it," replied Amabel, "and I cannot +sufficiently rejoice that I did not yield to the momentary weakness that +inclined me to accept them. I thank you for the insight you have +afforded me into your character." + +"You have formed an erroneous opinion of me, Amabel," cried the earl, +seeing his error, and trying to correct it. "I am well nigh distracted +by conflicting emotions. Oh, forgive my violence--forget it." + +"Readily," she replied; "but think not I attach the least credit to your +professions." + +"Away, then, with further disguise," returned the earl, relapsing into +his furious mood, "and recognise in me the person I am--or, rather the +person you would have me be. You say you are immovable. So am I; nor +will I further delay my purpose." + +Amabel, who had watched him uneasily during this speech, retreated a +step, and taking a small dagger from a handkerchief in which she kept it +concealed, placed its point against her breast. + +"I well know whom I have to deal with, my lord," she said, "and am, +therefore, provided against the last extremity. Attempt to touch me, and I +plunge this dagger into my heart." + +"Your sense of religion will not allow you to commit so desperate a +deed," replied the earl, derisively. + +"My blood be upon your head, my lord," she rejoined; "for it is your +hand that strikes the blow, and not my own. My honour is dearer to me +than life, and I will unhesitatingly sacrifice the one to preserve the +other. I have no fear but that the action, wrongful though it be, will +be forgiven me." + +"Hold!" exclaimed the earl, seeing from her determined look and manner +that she would unquestionably execute her purpose. "I have no desire to +drive you to destruction. Think over what I have said to you, and we +will renew the subject tomorrow." + +"Renew it when you please, my lord, my answer will still be the same," +she replied. "I have but one refuge from you--the grave--and thither, if +need be, I will fly." And as she spoke, she moved slowly towards the +adjoining chamber, the door of which she fastened after her. + +"I thought I had some experience of her sex," said Rochester to himself, +"but I find I was mistaken. To-morrow's mood, however, may be unlike +to-day's. At all events, I must take my measures differently." + +* * * * * + + + + +V. THE MARRIAGE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. + +Unwilling to believe he had become an object of aversion to Amabel, +Rochester renewed his solicitations on the following day, and calling +into play his utmost fascination of manner, endeavoured to remove any +ill impression produced by his previous violence. She was proof, +however, against his arts; and though he never lost his mastery over +himself, he had some difficulty in concealing his chagrin at the result +of the interview. He now began to adopt a different course, and entering +into long discussions with Amabel, strove by every effort of wit and +ridicule, to shake and subvert her moral and religious principles. But +here again he failed; and once more shifting his ground, affected to be +convinced by her arguments. He entirely altered his demeanour, and +though Amabel could not put much faith in the change, it was a subject +of real rejoicing to her. Though scarcely conscious of it herself, he +sensibly won upon her regards, and she passed many hours of each day in +his society without finding it irksome. Seeing the advantage he had +gained, and well aware that he should lose it by the slightest +indiscretion, Rochester acted with the greatest caution. The more at +ease she felt with him, the more deferential did he become; and before +she was conscious of her danger, the poor girl was once more on the +brink of the precipice. + +It was about this time that Leonard Holt, as has been previously +intimated, discovered her retreat, and contrived, by clambering up a +pear-tree which was nailed against the wall of the house, to reach her +chamber-window. Having received her assurance that she had resisted all +Rochester's importunities, the apprentice promised to return on the +following night with means to affect her liberation, and departed. Fully +persuaded that she could now repose confidence in the earl, Amabel +acquainted him, the next morning, with Leonard's visit, adding that he +would now have an opportunity of proving the sincerity of his +professions by delivering her up to her friends. + +"Since you desire it," replied the earl, who heard her with an unmoved +countenance, though internally torn with passion, "I will convey you to +your father myself. I had hoped," he added with a sigh, "that we should +never part again." + +"I fear I have been mistaken in you, my lord," rejoined Amabel, +half-repenting her frankness. + +"Not so," he replied. "I will do anything you require, except deliver +you to this hateful apprentice. If it is your pleasure, I repeat, I will +take you back to your father." + +"Promise me this, my lord, and I shall be quite easy," cried Amabel, +joyfully. + +"I do promise it," he returned. "But oh! why not stay with me, and +complete the good work you have begun?" + +Amabel averted her head, and Rochester sighing deeply, quitted the room. +An attendant shortly afterwards came to inform her that the earl +intended to start for London without delay, and begged her to prepare +for the journey. In an hour's time, a carriage drove to the door, and +Rochester having placed her and Prudence in it, mounted his horse, and +set forth. Late on the second day they arrived in London, and passing +through the silent and deserted streets, the aspect of which struck +terror into all the party, shaped their course towards the city. +Presently they reached Ludgate, but instead of proceeding to +Wood-street, the carriage turned off on the right, and traversing +Thames-street, crossed London Bridge. Amabel could obtain no explanation +of this change from Prudence; and her uneasiness was not diminished when +the vehicle, which was driven down a narrow street on the left +immediately after quitting the bridge, stopped at the entrance of a +large court-yard. Rochester, who had already dismounted, assisted her to +alight, and in answer to her hasty inquiries why he had brought her +thither, told her he thought it better to defer taking her to her father +till the morrow. Obliged to be content with this excuse, she was led +into the house, severely reproaching herself for her indiscretion. +Nothing, however, occurred to alarm her that night. The earl was even +more deferential than before, and assuring her he would fulfil his +promise in the morning, confided her to Prudence. + +The house whither she had been brought was large and old-fashioned. The +rooms had once been magnificently fitted up, but the hangings and +furniture were much faded, and had a gloomy and neglected air. This was +especially observable in the sleeping-chamber appointed for her +reception. It was large and lofty, panelled with black and shining oak, +with a highly-polished floor of the same material, and was filled with +cumbrous chests and cabinets, and antique high-backed chairs. But the +most noticeable object was a large state-bed, with a heavy square +canopy, covered, with the richest damask, woven with gold, and hung with +curtains of the same stuff, though now decayed and tarnished. A chill +crept over Amabel as she gazed around. + +"I cannot help thinking," she observed to Prudence, "that I shall breathe +my last in this room, and in that bed." + +"I hope not, madam," returned the attendant, unable to repress a +shudder. + +Nothing more was said, and Amabel retired to rest. But not being able to +sleep, and having vainly tried to compose herself, she arose and opened +the window. It was a serene and beautiful night, and she could see the +smooth river sparkling in the starlight, and flowing at a hundred yards' +distance at the foot of the garden. Beyond, she could indistinctly +perceive the outline of the mighty city, while nearer, on the left, lay +the bridge. Solemnly across the water came the sound of innumerable +bells, tolling for those who had died of the plague, and were now being +borne to their last home. While listening to these sad sounds, another, +but more doleful and appalling noise, caught her ears. It was the +rumbling of cart-wheels in the adjoining street, accompanied by the +ringing of a hand-bell, while a hoarse-voice cried, "Bring out your +dead! bring out your dead!" On hearing this cry, she closed the window +and retired. Morning broke before sleep visited her weary eyelids, and +then, overcome by fatigue, she dropped into a slumber, from which she +did not awake until the day was far advanced. She found Prudence sitting +by her bedside, and alarmed by the expression of her countenance, +anxiously inquired what was the matter? + +"Alas! madam," replied the attendant, "the earl has been taken suddenly +ill. He set out for Wood-street the first thing this morning, and has +seen your father, who refuses to receive you. On his return, he +complained of a slight sickness, which has gradually increased in +violence, and there can be little doubt it is the plague. Advice has +been sent for. He prays you not to disturb yourself on his account, but +to consider yourself sole mistress of this house, whatever may befall +him." + +Amabel passed a miserably anxious day. A fresh interest had been +awakened in her heart in behalf of the earl, and the precarious state in +which she conceived him placed did not tend to diminish it. She made +many inquiries after him, and learned that he was worse, while the +fearful nature of the attack could not be questioned. On the following +day Prudence reported that the distemper had made such rapid and +terrible progress, that his recovery was considered almost hopeless. + +"He raves continually of you, madam," said the attendant, "and I have no +doubt he will expire with your name on his lips." + +Amabel was moved to tears by the information, and withdrawing into a +corner of the room, prayed fervently for the supposed sufferer. Prudence +gazed at her earnestly and compassionately, and muttering something to +herself, quitted the room. The next day was the critical one (so it was +said) for the earl, and Amabel awaited, in tearful anxiety, the moment +that was to decide his fate. It came, and he was pronounced out of +danger. When the news was brought the anxious girl, she fainted. + +A week passed, and the earl, continued to improve, and all danger of +infection--if any such existed--being at an end, he sent a message to +Amabel, beseeching her to grant him an interview in his own room. She +willingly assented, and, following the attendant, found him stretched +upon a couch. In spite of his paleness and apparent debility, however, +his good looks were but little impaired, and his attire, though +negligent, was studiously arranged for effect. On Amabel's appearance he +made an effort to rise, but she hastened to prevent him. After thanking +her for her kind inquiries, he entered into a long conversation with +her, in the course of which he displayed sentiments so exactly +coinciding with her own, that the good opinion she had already begun to +entertain for him was soon heightened into the liveliest interest. They +parted, to meet again on the following day--and on the day following +that. The bloom returned to the earl's countenance, and he looked +handsomer than ever. A week thus passed, and at the end of it, he +said--"To-morrow I shall be well enough to venture forth again, and my +first business shall be to proceed to your father, and see whether he is +now able to receive you." + +"The plague has not yet abated, my lord," she observed, blushingly. + +"True," he replied, looking passionately at her. "Oh, forgive me, +Amabel," he added, taking her hand, which she did not attempt to +withdraw. "Forgive me, if I am wrong. But I now think your feelings are +altered towards me, and that I may venture to hope you will be mine?" + +Amabel's bosom heaved with emotion. She tried to speak, but could not. +Her head declined upon his shoulder, and her tears flowed fast. "I am +answered," he cried, scarcely able to contain his rapture, and straining +her to his bosom. + +"I know not whether I am doing rightly," she murmured, gazing at him +through her tears, "but I believe you mean me truly. God forgive you if +you do not." + +"Have no more doubts," cried the earl. "You have wrought an entire +change in me. Our union shall not be delayed an hour. It shall take +place in Saint Saviour's to-night." + +"Not to-night," cried Amabel, trembling at his eagerness--"to-morrow." + +"To-night, to-night!" reiterated the earl, victoriously. And he rushed +out of the room. + +Amabel was no sooner left to herself than she repented what she had +done. "I fear I have made a false step," she mused; "but it is now too +late to retreat, and I will hope for the best. He cannot mean to deceive +me." + +Her meditations were interrupted by the entrance of Prudence, who came +towards her with a face full of glee. "My lord has informed me of the +good news," she said. "You are to be wedded to him to-day. I have +expected it all along, but it is somewhat sudden at last. He is gone in +search of the priest, and in the mean time has ordered me to attire you +for the ceremony. I have several rich dresses for your ladyship--for so +I must now call you--to choose from." + +"The simplest will suit me best," replied Amabel, "and do not call me +ladyship till I have a right to that title." + +"That will be so soon that I am sure there can be no harm in using it +now," returned Prudence. "But pray let me show you the dresses." + +Amabel suffered herself to be led into another room, where she saw +several sumptuous female habiliments, and selecting the least showy of +them, was soon arrayed in it by the officious attendant. More than two +hours elapsed before Rochester returned, when he entered Amabel's +chamber, accompanied by Sir George Etherege and Pillichody. A feeling of +misgiving crossed Amabel, as she beheld his companions. + +"I have had some difficulty in finding a clergyman," said the earl, "for +the rector of Saint Saviour's has fled from the plague. His curate, +however, will officiate for him, and is now in the church." + +Amabel fixed a searching look upon him. "Why are these gentlemen here?" +she asked. + +"I have brought them with me," rejoined Rochester, "because, as they +were aware of the injury I once intended you, I wish them to be present +at its reparation." + +"I am satisfied," she replied. + +Taking her hand, the earl then led her to a carriage, which conveyed +them to Saint Saviour's. Just as they alighted, the dead-cart passed, +and several bodies were brought towards it. Eager to withdraw her +attention from the spectacle, Rochester hurried her into the old and +beautiful church. In another moment they were joined by Etherege and +Pillichody, and they proceeded to the altar, where the priest, a young +man, was standing. The ceremony was then performed, and the earl led his +bride back to the carriage. On their return they had to undergo another +ill-omened interruption. The dead-cart was stationed near the gateway, +and some delay occurred before it could be moved forward. + +Amabel, however, suffered no further misgiving to take possession of +her. Deeming herself wedded to the earl, she put no constraint on her +affection for him, and her happiness, though short-lived, was deep and +full. A month passed away like a dream of delight. Nothing occurred in +the slightest degree to mar her felicity. Rochester seemed only to live +for her--to think only of her. At the end of this time, some +indifference began to manifest itself in his deportment to her, and he +evinced a disposition to return to the court and to its pleasures. + +"I thought you had for ever abandoned them, my dear lord," said Amabel, +reproachfully. + +"For awhile I have," he replied, carelessly. + +"You must leave me, if you return to them," she rejoined. + +"If I must, I must," said the earl. + +"You cannot mean this, my lord," she cried, bursting into tears. "You +cannot be so changed." + +"I have never changed since you first knew me," replied Rochester. + +"Impossible!" she cried, in a tone of anguish; "you have not the +faults--the vices, you once had." + +"I know not what you call faults and vices, madam," replied the earl +sharply, "but I have the same qualities as heretofore. + +"Am I to understand, then," cried Amabel, a fearful suspicion of the +truth breaking upon her, "that you never sincerely repented your former +actions?" + +"You are to understand it," replied Rochester. + +"And you deceived me when you affirmed the contrary?" + +"I deceived you," he replied. + +"I begin to suspect," she cried, with a look of horror and doubt, "that +the attack of the plague was feigned." + +"You are not far wide of the truth," was the reply. + +"And our marriage?" she cried--"our marriage? Was that feigned +likewise?" + +"It was," replied Rochester, calmly. + +Amabel looked at him fixedly for a few minutes, as if she could not +credit his assertion, and then receiving no contradiction, uttered a +wild scream, and rushed out of the room. Rochester followed, and saw her +dart with lightning swiftness across the court-yard. On gaining the +street, he perceived her flying figure already at some distance; and +greatly alarmed, started in pursuit. The unfortunate girl was not +allowed to proceed far. Two persons who were approaching, and who proved +to be Etherege and Pillichody, caught hold of her, and detained her till +Rochester came up. When the latter attempted to touch her, she uttered +such fearful shrieks, that Etherege entreated him to desist. With some +difficulty she was taken back to the house. But it was evident that the +shock had unsettled her reason. She alternately uttered wild, piercing +screams, or broke into hysterical laughter. The earl's presence so much +increased her frenzy, that he gladly withdrew. + +"This is a melancholy business, my lord," observed Etherege, as they +quitted the room together, "and I am sorry for my share in it. We have +both much to answer for." + +"Do you think her life in danger?" rejoined Rochester. + +"It would be well if it were so," returned the other; "but I fear she +will live to be a perpetual memento to you of the crime you have +committed." + +Amabel's delirium produced a high fever, which continued for three days. +Her screams were at times so dreadful, that her betrayer shut himself up +in the furthest part of the house, that he might not hear them. When at +last she sank into a sleep like that of death, produced by powerful +opiates, he stole into the room, and gazed at her with feelings which +those who watched his countenance did not envy. It was hoped by the +chirurgeon in attendance, that when the violence of the fever abated, +Amabel's reason would be restored. But it was not so. Her faculties were +completely shaken, and the cause of her affliction being effaced from +her memory, she now spoke of the Earl of Rochester with her former +affection. + +Her betrayer once ventured into her presence, but he did not repeat the +visit. Her looks and her tenderness were more than even _his_ firmness +could bear, and he hurried away to hide his emotion from the attendants. +Several days passed on, and as no improvement took place, the earl, who +began to find the stings of conscience too sharp for further endurance, +resolved to try to deaden the pangs by again plunging into the +dissipation of the court. Prudence had been seized by the plague, and +removed to the pest-house, and not knowing to whom to entrust Amabel, it +at last occurred to him that Judith Malmayns would be a fitting person, +and he accordingly sent for her from Saint Paul's, and communicated his +wishes to her, offering her a considerable reward for the service. +Judith readily undertook the office, and the earl delayed his departure +for two days, to see how all went on; and finding the arrangements, to +all appearances, answer perfectly, he departed with Etherege and +Pillichody. + +Ever since the communication of the fatal truth had been made to her by +the earl, his unfortunate victim had occupied the large oak-panelled +chamber, on entering which so sad a presentiment had seized her; and she +had never quitted the bed where she thought she would breathe her last. +On the night of Rochester's departure she made many inquiries concerning +him from Judith Malmayns, who was seated in an old broad-cushioned, +velvet-covered chair, beside her, and was told that the king required +his attendance at Oxford, but that he would soon return. At this answer +the tears gathered thickly in Amabel's dark eyelashes, and she remained +silent. By-and-by she resumed the conversation. + +"Do you know, nurse," she said, with a look of extreme anxiety, "I have +forgotten my prayers. Repeat them to me, and I will say them after you." + +"My memory is as bad as your ladyship's," replied Judith, +contemptuously. "It is so long since I said mine, that I have quite +forgotten them." + +"That is wrong in you," returned Amabel, "very wrong. When I lived with +my dear father, we had prayers morning and evening, and I was never so +happy as then. I feel it would do me good if I could pray as I used to +do." + +"Well, well, all in good time," replied Judith. "As soon as you are +better, you shall go back to your father, and then you can do as you +please." + +"No, no, I cannot go back to him," returned Amabel. "I am the Earl of +Rochester's wife--his wedded wife. Am I not Countess of Rochester?" + +"To be sure you are," replied Judith--"to be sure." + +"I sometimes think otherwise," rejoined Amabel, mournfully. + +"And so my dear lord is gone to Oxford?" + +"He is," returned Judith, "but he will be back soon. And now," she +added, with some impatience, "you have talked quite long enough. You +must take your composing draught, and go to sleep." + +With this she arose, and stepping to the table which stood by the side +of the bed, filled a wine-glass with the contents of a silver flagon, +and gave it to her. Amabel drank the mixture, and complaining of its +nauseous taste, Judith handed her a plate of fruit from the table to +remove it. Soon after this she dropped asleep, when the nurse arose, and +taking a light from the table, cautiously possessed herself of a bunch +of keys which were placed in a small pocket over Amabel's head, and +proceeded to unlock a large chest that stood near the foot of the bed. +She found it filled with valuables--with chains of gold, necklaces of +precious stones, loops of pearl, diamond crosses, and other ornaments. +Besides these, there were shawls and stuffs of the richest description. +While contemplating these treasures, and considering how she should +carry them off without alarming the household, she was startled by a +profound sigh; and looking towards the bed, perceived to her great +alarm, that Amabel had opened her eyes, and was watching her. + +"What are you doing there, nurse?" she cried. + +"Only looking at these pretty things, your ladyship," replied Judith, in +an embarrassed tone. + +"I hope you are not going to steal them?" said Amabel. + +"Steal them?" echoed Judith, alarmed. "Oh, no! What should make your +ladyship think so?" + +"I don't know," said Amabel; "but put them by, and bring the keys to +me." + +Judith feigned compliance, but long before she had restored the things +to the chest, Amabel had again fallen asleep. Apprised by her tranquil +breathing of this circumstance, Judith arose; and shading the candle +with her hand, crept noiselessly towards the bed. Dark thoughts crossed +her as she gazed at the unfortunate sleeper; and moving with the utmost +caution, she set the light on the table behind the curtains, and had +just grasped the pillow, with the intention of plucking it from under +Amabel's head, and of smothering her with it, when she felt herself +restrained by a powerful grasp, and turning in utmost alarm, beheld the +Earl of Rochester. + + + + +VI. THE CERTIFICATE. + +"Wretch!" cried the earl. "An instinctive dread that you would do your +poor charge some injury brought me back, and I thank Heaven I have +arrived in time to prevent your atrocious purpose." + +"Your lordship would have acted more discreetly in staying away," +replied Judith, recovering her resolution; "and I would recommend you +not to meddle in the matter, but to leave it to me. No suspicion shall +alight on you, nor shall it even be known that her end was hastened. +Leave the house as secretly as you came, and proceed on your journey +with a light heart. She will never trouble you further." + +"What!" exclaimed Rochester, who was struck dumb for the moment by +surprise and indignation, "do you imagine I would listen to such a +proposal? Do you think I would sanction her murder?" + +"I am sure you would, if you knew as much as I do," replied Judith, +calmly. "Hear me, my lord," she continued, drawing him to a little +distance from the bed, and speaking in a deep low tone. "You cannot +marry Mistress Mallet while this girl lives." + +Rochester looked sternly and inquiringly at her. "You think your +marriage was feigned," pursued Judith; "that he was no priest who +performed the ceremony; and that no other witnesses were present except +Sir George Etherege and Pillichody. But you are mistaken. I and Chowles +were present; and he who officiated _was_ a priest. The marriage was a +lawful one; and yon sleeping girl, who, but for your ill-timed +interference, would, ere this, have breathed her last, is to all intents +and purposes Countess of Rochester." + +"A lie!" cried the earl, furiously. + +"I will soon prove it to be truth," rejoined Judith. "Your retainer and +unscrupulous agent, Major Pillichody, applied to Chowles to find some +one to personate a clergyman in a mock marriage, which your lordship +wished to have performed, and promised a handsome reward for the +service. Chowles mentioned the subject to me, and we speedily contrived +a plan to outwit your lordship, and turn the affair to our advantage." + +The earl uttered an ejaculation of rage. + +"Being acquainted with one of the minor canons of Saint Paul's, a worthy +and pious young man, named Vincent," pursued Judith, utterly unmoved by +Rochester's anger, "who resided hard by the cathedral, we hastened to +him, and acquainted him with the design, representing ourselves as +anxious to serve the poor girl, and defeat your lordship's wicked +design--for such we termed it. With a little persuasion, Mr. Vincent +consented to the scheme. Pillichody was easily duped by Chowles's +statement, and the ceremony was fully performed." + +"The whole story is a fabrication," cried the earl, with affected +incredulity. + +"I have a certificate of the marriage," replied Judith, "signed by Mr. +Vincent, and attested by Chowles and myself. If ever woman was wedded to +man, Amabel is wedded to your lordship." + +"If this is the case, why seek to destroy her?" demanded the earl. "Her +life must be of more consequence to you than her removal." + +"I will deal frankly with you," replied Judith. "She discovered me in +the act of emptying that chest, and an irresistible impulse prompted me +to make away with her. But your lordship is in the right. Her life _is_ +valuable to me, and she _shall_ live. But, I repeat, you cannot marry +the rich heiress, Mistress Mallet." + +"Temptress!" cried the earl, "you put frightful thoughts into my head." + +"Go your ways," replied Judith, "and think no more about her. All shall +be done that you require. I claim as my reward the contents of that +chest." + +"Your reward shall be the gallows," rejoined the earl, indignantly. "I +reject your proposal at once. Begone, wretch! or I shall forget you are +a woman, and sacrifice you to my fury. Begone!" + +"As your lordship pleases," she replied; "but first, the Countess of +Rochester shall be made acquainted with her rights." So saying, she +broke from him, and rushed to the bed. + +"What are you about to do?" he cried. + +"Waken her," rejoined Judith, slightly shaking the sleeper. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Amabel, opening her eyes, and gazing at her with a +terrified and bewildered look. + +"His lordship is returned," said Judith. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Amabel, raising herself in the bed. "Where is +he?--Ah, I see him.--Come to me, my dear lord," she added, stretching +out her arms to him, "Come to me." + +But evil thoughts kept Rochester motionless. "Oh! come to me, my lord," +cried Amabel, in a troubled tone, "or I shall begin to think what I have +dreamed is true, and that I am not wedded to you." + +"It _was_ merely a dream, your ladyship," observed Judith. "I will bear +witness you are wedded to his lordship, for I was present at the +ceremony." + +"I did not see you," remarked Amabel. + +"I was there, nevertheless," replied Judith. + +"I am sorry to hear it," replied Amabel. + +"Your ladyship would rejoice if you knew all," returned Judith, +significantly. + +"Why so?" inquired the other, curiously. + +"Because the clergyman who married you is dead of the plague," was the +answer; "and it may chance in these terrible times that the two +gentlemen who were present at the ceremony may die of the same +distemper, and then there will be no one left but me and another person +to prove that your marriage was lawful." + +"But its lawfulness will never be questioned, my dear lord, will it?" +asked Amabel, looking beseechingly at Rochester. + +"Never," replied Judith, producing a small piece of parchment, "while I +hold this certificate." + +"Give me that document," said the earl, in an undertone, to her. + +Judith directed her eyes towards the chest. "It is yours," said the +earl, in the same tone as before. + +"What are you whispering, my lord?" inquired Amabel, uneasily. + +"I am merely telling her to remove that chest, sweetheart," he replied. + +"Do not send it away," cried Amabel. "It contains all the ornaments and +trinkets you have given me. Do you know," she added in a whisper, "I +caught her looking into it just now, and I suspect she was about to +steal something." + +"Pshaw!" cried the earl, "she acted by my directions. Take the chest +away," he added to Judith. + +"Has your lordship no further orders?" she rejoined, significantly. + +"None whatever," he replied, with a frown. + +"Before you go, give me the certificate," cried Amabel. "I must have +it." + +Judith pretended not to hear her. "Give it her," whispered the earl, "I +will remove it when she falls asleep." + +Nodding acquiescence, Judith took the parchment from her bosom, and +returned with it to the bed. While this was passing, the earl walked +towards the chest, and cast his eye over such of its contents as were +scattered upon the floor. Judith watched him carefully, and when his +back was turned, drew a small lancet, and affecting to arrange her +dress, slightly punctured Amabel's neck. The pain was trifling, but the +poor girl uttered a cry. + +"What is the matter?" cried the earl, turning suddenly round. + +"Nothing--nothing," replied Judith; "a pin in my sleeve pricked her as I +was fastening her cap, that was all. Her death is certain," she added to +herself, "she is inoculated with the plague-venom." + +She then went to the chest, and replacing everything within it, removed +it, by the help of the Earl of Rochester, into the adjoining room. "I +will send for it at midnight," she said. + +"It shall be delivered to your messenger," rejoined the earl; "but you +will answer for Chowles's secrecy?" + +"I will," returned Judith, with a meaning smile. "But you may take my +word for it you will not be troubled long with your wife. If I have any +judgment respecting the plague, she is already infected." + +"Indeed!" cried Rochester--"then--" but he checked himself, and added, +"I do not believe it. Begone." + +"He _does_ believe it for all that," muttered Judith, as he slunk away. + +Rochester returned to Amabel, and sat by her until she fell asleep, when +he took the parchment from beneath the pillow where she had placed it. +Examining it, he found it, as Judith had stated, a certificate of his +marriage, signed by Mark Vincent, the clergyman who had officiated, and +duly attested. Having carefully perused it, he held it towards the +taper, with the intention of destroying it. As he was about to +perpetrate this unworthy action, he looked towards the bed. The soft +sweet smile that played upon the sleeper's features, turned him from his +purpose. Placing the parchment in his doublet, he left the room, and +summoning a female attendant, alleged some reason for his unexpected +return, and ordered her to watch by the bedside of her mistress. Giving +some further directions, he threw himself upon a couch and sought a few +hours' repose. At daybreak, he repaired to Amabel's chamber, and finding +her wrapped in a peaceful slumber, he commended her to the attendant, +and departed. + +On awaking, Amabel complained of an uneasy sensation on her neck, and +the attendant examining the spot, found, to her great alarm, a small red +pustule. Without making a single observation, she left the room, and +despatched a messenger after the Earl of Rochester to acquaint him that +the countess was attacked by the plague. Such was the terror inspired by +this dread disorder, that the moment it was known that Amabel was +attacked by it, the whole household, except an old woman, fled. This old +woman, whose name was Batley, and who acted as the earl's housekeeper, +took upon herself the office of nurse. Before evening, the poor +sufferer, who had endured great agony during the whole of the day, +became so much worse, that Mrs. Batley ran out in search of assistance. +She met with a watchman, who told her that a famous apothecary, from +Clerkenwell, named Sibbald, who was celebrated for the cures he had +effected, had just entered a neighbouring house, and offered to await +his coming forth, and send him to her. Thanking him, Mrs. Batley +returned to the house, and presently afterwards, Sibbald made his +appearance. His looks and person had become even more repulsive than +formerly. He desired to be led to the patient, and on seeing her, shook +his head. He examined the pustule, which had greatly increased in size, +and turning away, muttered, "I can do nothing for her." + +"At least make the attempt," implored Mrs. Batley. "She is the Countess +of Rochester. You shall be well rewarded--and if you cure her, the earl +will make your fortune." + +"If his lordship would change stations with me, I could not cure her," +replied Sibbald. "Let me look at her again," he added, examining the +pustule. "There is a strange appearance about this tumour. Has Judith +Malmayns attended her?" + +"She was here yesterday," replied Mrs. Batley. + +"I thought so," he muttered. "I repeat it is all over with her." And he +turned to depart. + +"Do not leave her thus, in pity do not!" cried the old woman, detaining +him. "Make some effort to save her. My lord loves her to distraction, +and will abundantly reward you." + +"All I can do is to give her something to allay the pain," returned +Sibbald. And drawing a small phial from his doublet, he poured its +contents into a glass, and administered it to the patient. + +"That will throw her into a slumber," he said, "and when she wakes, she +will be without pain. But her end will be not far off." + +Mrs. Batley took a purse from a drawer in one of the cabinets, and gave +it to the apothecary, who bowed and retired. As he had foretold, Amabel +fell into a heavy lethargy, which continued during the whole of the +night. Mrs. Batley, who had never left her, noticed that an +extraordinary and fearful change had taken place in her countenance, and +she could not doubt that the apothecary's prediction would be realized. +The tumour had increased in size, and was surrounded by a dusky brown +circle, which she knew to be a bad sign. The sufferer's eyes, when she +opened them, and gazed around, had a dim and glazed look. But she was +perfectly calm and composed, and, as had been prognosticated, free from +pain. She had, also, fully regained her faculties, and seemed quite +aware of her dangerous situation. + +But the return of reason brought with it no solace. On the contrary, the +earl's treachery rushed upon her recollection, and gave her infinitely +more anguish than the bodily pain she had recently endured. She bedewed +the pillow with her tears, and fervently prayed for forgiveness for her +involuntary fault. Mrs. Batley was deeply moved by her affliction, and +offered her every consolation in her power. + +"I would the plague had selected me for a victim instead of your +ladyship," she said. "It is hard to leave the world at your age, +possessed of beauty, honours, and wealth. At mine, it would not +signify." + +"You mistake the cause of my grief," returned Amabel; "I do not lament +that my hour is at hand, but--" and her emotion so overpowered her that +she could not proceed. + +"Do not disturb yourself further, dear lady," rejoined the old woman. +"Let the worst happen, I am sure you are well prepared to meet your +Maker." + +"I once was," replied Amabel in a voice of despair, "but now--Oh, Heaven +forgive me!" + +"Shall I fetch some holy minister to pray beside you, my lady?" said +Mrs. Batley; "one to whom you can pour forth the sorrows of your heart?" + +"Do so! oh, do!" cried Amabel, "and do not call me lady. I am not worthy +to be placed in the same rank as yourself." + +"Her wits are clean gone," muttered Mrs. Batley, looking at her +compassionately. + +"Heed me not," cried Amabel; "but if you have any pity for the +unfortunate, do as you have promised." + +"I will--I will," said Mrs. Batley, departing. + +Half an hour, which scarcely seemed a moment to the poor sufferer, who +was employed in fervent prayer, elapsed before Mrs. Batley returned. She +was accompanied by a tall man, whom Amabel recognised as Solomon Eagle. + +"I have not been able to find a clergyman," said the old woman, "but I +have brought a devout man who is willing to pray with you." + +"Ah!" exclaimed the enthusiast, starting as he beheld Amabel. "Can it be +Mr. Bloundel's daughter?" + +"It is," returned Amabel with a groan. "Leave us, my good woman," she +added to Mrs. Batley, "I have something to impart to Solomon Eagle which +is for his ear alone." The old woman instantly retired, and Amabel +briefly related her hapless story to the enthusiast. + +"May I hope for forgiveness?" she inquired, as she concluded. + +"Assuredly," replied Solomon Eagle, "assuredly! You have not erred +wilfully, but through ignorance, and therefore have committed no +offence. _You_ will be forgiven--but woe to your deceiver, here and +hereafter." + +"Oh' say not so," she cried. "May Heaven pardon him as I do. While I +have strength left I will pray for him." And she poured forth her +supplications for the earl in terms so earnest and pathetic, that the +tears flowed down Solomon Eagle's rough cheek. At this juncture, hasty +steps were heard in the adjoining passage, and the door opening, +admitted the Earl of Rochester, who rushed towards the bed. + +"Back!" cried Solomon Eagle, pushing him forcibly aside. "Back!" + +"What do you here?" cried Rochester, fiercely. + +"I am watching over the death-bed of your victim," returned Solomon +Eagle. "Retire, my lord. You disturb her." + +"Oh, no," returned Amabel, meekly. "Let him come near me." And as +Solomon Eagle drew a little aside, and allowed the earl to approach, she +added, "With my latest breath I forgive you, my lord, for the wrong you +have done me, and bless you." + +The earl tried to speak, but his voice was suffocated by emotion. As +soon as he could find words, he said, "Your goodness completely +overpowers me, dearest Amabel. Heaven is my witness, that even now I +would make you all the reparation in my power were it needful. But it is +not so. The wrong I intended you was never committed. I myself was +deceived. I intended a feigned marriage, but it was rightfully +performed. Time will not allow me to enter into further particulars of +the unhappy transaction, but you may credit my assertion when I tell you +you are indeed my wife, and Countess of Rochester." + +"If I thought so, I should die happy," replied Amabel. + +"Behold this proof!" said Rochester, producing the certificate. + +"I cannot read it," replied Amabel. "But you could not have the heart to +deceive me now." + +"I will read it, and you well know _I_ would not deceive you," cried +Solomon Eagle, casting his eye over it--"His lordship has avouched the +truth," he continued. "It is a certificate of your marriage with him, +duly signed and attested." + +"God be thanked," ejaculated Amabel, fervently. "God be thanked! You +have been spared that guilt, and I shall die content." + +"I trust your life will long be spared," rejoined the earl. Amabel shook +her head. + +"There is but one man in this city who could save her," whispered +Solomon Eagle, and I doubt even his power to do so.' + +"Who do you mean?" cried Rochester, eagerly. + +"Doctor Hodges," replied the enthusiast. + +"I know him well," cried the earl. "I will fly to him instantly. Remain +with her till I return." + +"My lord--my dear lord," interposed Amabel, faintly, "you trouble +yourself needlessly. I am past all human aid." + +"Do not despair," replied the earl. "Many years of happiness are, I +trust, in store for us. Do not detain me. I go to save you. Farewell for +a short time." + +"Farewell, for ever, my lord," she said, gently pressing his hand. "We +shall not meet again. Your name will be coupled with my latest breath." + +"I shall be completely unmanned if I stay here a moment longer," cried +the earl, breaking from her, and rushing out of the room. + +As soon as he was gone, Amabel addressed herself once more to prayer +with Solomon Eagle, and in this way an hour passed by. The earl not +returning at the end of that time, Solomon Eagle became extremely +uneasy, every moment being of the utmost consequence, and summoning Mrs. +Batley, committed the patient to her care, and set off in search of +Hodges. He hastened to the doctor's house--he was absent--to Saint +Paul's--he was not there, but he learnt that a person answering to the +earl's description had been making similar inquiries after him. + +At last, one of the chirurgeon's assistants told him that he thought the +doctor was gone towards Cornhill, and hoping, accidentally, to meet with +him, the enthusiast set off in that direction. While passing near the +Exchange, he encountered Leonard, as before related, but did not think +fit to acquaint him with more than Amabel's dangerous situation; and he +had reason to regret making the communication at all, on finding its +effect upon the poor youth. There was, however, no help for it, and +placing him in what appeared a situation of safety, he left him. + +Rochester, meanwhile, had been equally unsuccessful in his search for +Hodges. Hurrying first in one direction and then in another, at the +suggestion of the chirurgeon's assistant, he at last repaired to the +doctor's residence, determined to await his return. In half an hour he +came, and received the earl, as the old porter stated to Thirlby and +Leonard, with angry astonishment. As soon as they were alone, the earl +told him all that had occurred, and besought him to accompany him to the +poor sufferer. + +"I will go to her," said Hodges, who had listened to the recital with +mixed feelings of sorrow and indignation, "on one condition--and one +only--namely, that your lordship does not see her again without my +permission." + +"Why do you impose this restriction upon, me sir?' demanded Rochester. + +"I do not think it necessary to give my reasons, my lord," returned +Hodges; "but I will only go upon such terms." + +"Then I must perforce submit," replied the earl; "but I entreat you to +set forth-without a moment's delay, or you will be too late." + +"I will follow you instantly," rejoined Hodges. "Your lordship can wait +for me at the Southwark side of the bridge." He then opened the door, +reiterating the terms upon which alone he would attend, and the earl +departed. + +Shortly afterwards he set out, and making the best of his way, found +Rochester at the appointed place. The latter conducted him to the +entrance of the habitation, and indicating a spot where he would remain +till his return, left him. Hodges soon found his way to the chamber of +the sufferer, and at once perceived that all human aid was vain. She +exhibited much pleasure at seeing him, and looked round, as if in search +of the earl. Guessing her meaning, the physician, who now began to +regret the interdiction he had placed upon him, told her that he was the +cause of his absence. + +"It is well," she murmured--"well." She then made some inquiries after +her relatives, and receiving a satisfactory answer, said, "I am glad you +are come. You will be able to tell my father how I died." + +"It will be a great comfort to him to learn the tranquil frame in which +I have found you," replied Hodges. + +"How long have I to live?" asked Amabel, somewhat quickly. "Do not +deceive me." + +"You had better make your preparations without delay," returned Hodges. + +"I understand," she replied; and joining her hands upon her breast, she +began to murmur a prayer. + +Hodges, who up to this moment had had some difficulty in repressing his +emotion, withdrew to a short distance to hide his fast-falling tears. He +was roused shortly after, by a sudden and startling cry from the old +woman. + +"Oh, sir, she is going! she is going!" ejaculated Mrs. Batley. He found +the exclamation true. The eyes of the dying girl were closed. There was +a slight quiver of the lips, as if she murmured some name--probably +Rochester's--and then all was over. + +Hodges gazed at her sorrowfully for some time. He then roused himself, +and giving some necessary directions to the old woman respecting the +body, quitted the house. Not finding the earl at the place he had +appointed to meet him, after waiting for a short time, he proceeded, +towards his own house. On the way he was net by Thirlby and Parravicin, +as previously related, and conducted to the house in Nicholas-lane. It +will not be necessary to recapitulate what subsequently occurred. We +shall, therefore, proceed to the point of time when he quitted his new +patient, and entered the room where Thirlby and Leonard were waiting for +him. Both, as has been stated, rushed towards him, and the former +eagerly asked his opinion respecting his daughter. + +"My opinion is positive," replied Hodges. "With care, she will +undoubtedly recover." + +"Heaven be thanked!" cried Thirlby, dropping on his knees. + +"And now, one word to me, sir," cried Leonard. "What of Amabel?" + +"Alas!" exclaimed the doctor, "her troubles are ended." + +"Dead!" shrieked Leonard. + +"Ay, dead!" repeated the doctor. "She died of the plague to-night." + +He then proceeded to detail briefly all that had occurred. Leonard +listened like one stupefied, till he brought his recital to a close, and +then asking where the house in which she had died was situated, rushed +out of the room, and made his way, he knew not how, into the street. His +brain seemed on fire, and he ran so quickly that his feet appeared +scarcely to touch the ground. A few seconds brought him to London +Bridge. He crossed it, and turning down the street on the left, had +nearly reached the house to which he had been directed, when his career +was suddenly checked. The gate of the court-yard was opened, and two +men, evidently, from their apparel, buriers of the dead, issued from it. +They carried a long narrow board between them, with a body wrapped in a +white sheet placed upon it. A freezing horror rooted Leonard to the spot +where he stood. He could neither move nor utter a cry. + +The men proceeded with their burden towards the adjoining habitation, +which was marked with a fatal red cross and inscription. Before it stood +the dead-cart, partly filled with corpses. The foremost burier carried a +lantern, but he held it so low that its light did not fall upon his +burden. Leonard, however, did not require to see the body to know whose +it was. The moon was at its full, and shed a ghastly light over the +group, and a large bat wheeled in narrow circles round the dead-cart. + +On reaching the door of the house, the burier set down the lantern near +the body of a young man which had just been thrust forth. At the same +moment, Chowles, with a lantern in his hand, stepped out upon the +threshold. "Who have you got, Jonas?" he asked. + +"I know not," replied the hindmost burier. "We entered yon large house, +the door of which stood open, and in one of the rooms found, an old +woman in a fainting state, and the body of this young girl, wrapped in a +sheet, and ready for the cart. So we clapped it on the board, and +brought it away with us." + +"You did right," replied Chowles. "I wonder whose body it is." + +As he spoke, he held up his lantern, and unfastening it, threw the light +full upon the face. The features were pale as marble; calm in their +expression, and like those of one wrapped in placid slumber. The long +fair hair hung over the side of the board. It was a sad and touching +sight. + +"Why, as I am a living man, it is the grocer's daughter, +Amabel,--somewhile Countess of Rochester!" exclaimed Chowles. + +"It is, it is!" cried the earl, suddenly rushing from behind a building +where he had hitherto remained concealed. "Whither are you about to take +her? Set her down--set her down." + +"Hinder them not, my lord," vociferated another person, also appearing +on the scene with equal suddenness. "Place her in the cart," cried +Solomon Eagle--for he it was--to the bearers. "This is a just punishment +upon you, my lord," he added to Rochester, as his injunctions were +obeyed--"oppose them not in their duty." + +It was not in the earl's power to do so. Like Leonard, he was transfixed +with horror. The other bodies were soon placed in the cart, and it was +put in motion. At this juncture, the apprentice's suspended faculties +were for an instant--and an instant only--restored to him. He uttered a +piercing cry, and staggering forward, fell senseless on the ground. + + + + +BOOK THE FIFTH. + +DECEMBER, 1665. + + + + +I. THE DECLINE OF THE PLAGUE. + +More than two months must be passed over in silence. During that time, +the pestilence had so greatly abated as no longer to occasion alarm to +those who had escaped its ravages. It has been mentioned that the +distemper arrived at its height about the 10th of September, and though +for the two following weeks the decline was scarcely perceptible, yet it +had already commenced. On the last week in that fatal month, when all +hope had been abandoned, the bills of mortality suddenly decreased in +number to one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four. And this fortunate +change could not be attributed to the want of materials to act upon, for +the sick continued as numerous as before, while the deaths were less +frequent. In the next week there was a further decrease of six hundred; +in the next after that of six hundred; and so on till the end of +October, when, the cold weather setting in, the amount was reduced to +nearly one thousand. + +At first, when the distemper began to lose somewhat of its malignancy, a +few scared individuals appeared in the streets, but carefully shunned +each other. In a few days, however, considerable numbers joined them, +and for the first time for nearly three months there was something like +life abroad. It is astonishing how soon hope and confidence are revived. +Now that it could no longer be doubted that the plague was on the +decline, it seemed as if a miracle had been performed in favour of the +city. Houses were opened--shopkeepers resumed their business--and it was +a marvel to every one that so many persons were left alive. Dejection +and despair of the darkest kind were succeeded by frenzied delight, and +no bound was put to the public satisfaction. Strangers stopped each +other in the streets, and conversed together like old friends. The +bells, that had grown hoarse with tolling funerals, were now cracked +with joyous peals. The general joy extended even to the sick, and many, +buoyed up by hope, recovered, when in the former season of despondency +they would inevitably have perished. All fear of the plague seemed to +vanish with the flying disorder. Those who were scarcely out of danger +joined in the throng, and it was no uncommon sight to see men with +bandages round their necks, or supported by staves and crutches, shaking +hands with their friends, and even embracing them. + +The consequence of this incautious conduct may be easily foreseen. The +plague had received too severe a check to burst forth anew; but it +spread further than it otherwise would have done, and attacked many +persons, who but for their own imprudence would have escaped. Amongst +others, a barber in Saint Martin's-le-Grand, who had fled into the +country in August, returned to his shop in the middle of October, and, +catching the disorder from one of his customers, perished with the whole +of his family. + +But these, and several other equally fatal instances, produced no effect +on the multitude. Fully persuaded that the virulence of the disorder was +exhausted--as, indeed, appeared to be the case--they gave free scope to +their satisfaction, which was greater than was ever experienced by the +inhabitants of a besieged city reduced by famine to the last strait of +despair, and suddenly restored to freedom and plenty. The more pious +part of the community thronged to the churches, from which they had been +so long absent, and returned thanks for their unexpected deliverance. +Others, who had been terrified into seriousness and devotion, speedily +forgot their former terrors, and resumed their old habits. Profaneness +and debauchery again prevailed, and the taverns were as well filled as +the churches. Solomon Eagle continued his midnight courses through the +streets; but he could no longer find an audience as before. Those who +listened to him only laughed at his denunciations of a new judgment, and +told him his preachings and prophesyings were now completely out of +date. + +By this time numbers of those who had quitted London having returned to +it, the streets began to resume their wonted appearance. The utmost care +was taken by the authorities to cleanse and purify the houses, in order +to remove all chance of keeping alive the infection. Every room in every +habitation where a person had died of the plague--and there were few +that had escaped the visitation--was ordered to be whitewashed, and the +strongest fumigations were employed to remove the pestilential effluvia. +Brimstone, resin, and pitch were burnt in the houses of the poor; +benjamin, myrrh, and other more expensive perfumes in those of the +rich; while vast quantities of powder were consumed in creating blasts +to carry off the foul air. Large and constant fires were kept in all the +houses, and several were burnt down in consequence of the negligence of +their owners. + +All goods, clothes, and bedding, capable of harbouring infection, were +condemned to be publicly burned, and vast bonfires were lighted in +Finsbury Fields and elsewhere, into which many hundred cart-loads of +such articles were thrown. The whole of Chowles's hoard, except the +plate, which he managed, with Judith's aid, to carry off and conceal in +certain hiding-places in the vaults of Saint Faith's, was taken from the +house in Nicholas-lane, and cast into the fire. + +The cathedral was one of the first places ordered to be purified. The +pallets of the sick were removed and burned, and all the stains and +impurities with which its floor and columns were polluted were cleansed. +Nothing was left untried to free it from infection. It was washed +throughout with vinegar, fumigated with the strongest scents, and +several large barrels of pitch were set fire to in the aisles. + +"It shall undergo another species of purification," said Solomon Eagle, +who was present during these proceedings; "one that shall search every +nook within it--shall embrace all those columns, and pierce every crack +and crevice in those sculptured ornaments; and then, and not till then, +will it be thoroughly cleansed." + +During all this time the grocer had not opened his dwelling. The wisdom +of this plan was now made fully apparent. The plague was declining fast, +and not an inmate of his house had been attacked by it. Soon after the +melancholy occurrence, he had been informed by Doctor Hodges of Amabel's +death; but the humane physician concealed from him the painful +circumstances under which it occurred. It required all Mr. Bloundel's +fortitude to support him under the shock of this intelligence, and he +did not communicate the afflicting tidings to his wife until he had +prepared her for their reception. But she bore them better than he had +anticipated; and though she mourned her daughter deeply and truly, she +appeared completely resigned to the loss. Sorrow pervaded the whole +household for some weeks; and the grocer, who never relaxed his system, +shrouded his sufferings under the appearance of additional austerity of +manner. It would have been a great consolation to him to see Leonard +Holt; but the apprentice had disappeared; and even Doctor Hodges could +give no account of him. + +One night, in the middle of November, Mr. Bloundel signified to his wife +his intention of going forth, early on the following morning, to satisfy +himself that the plague was really abating. Accordingly, after he had +finished his devotions, and broken his fast, he put his design into +execution. His first act, after locking the door behind him, which he +did as a measure of precaution, was to fall on his knees and offer up +prayers to Heaven for his signal preservation. He then arose, and, +stepping into the middle of the street, gazed at the habitation which +had formed his prison and refuge for nearly six months. There it was, +with its shutters closed and barred--a secure asylum, with all alive +within it, while every other dwelling in the street was desolate. + +The grocer's sensations were novel and extraordinary. His first impulse +was to enjoy his newly-recovered freedom, and to put himself into active +motion. But he checked the feeling as sinful, and proceeded along the +street at a slow pace. He did not meet a single person, until he reached +Cheapside, where he found matters completely changed. Several shops were +already opened, and there were a few carts and other vehicles tracking +their way through the broad and yet grass-grown street. It was a clear, +frosty morning, and there was a healthful feel in the bracing atmosphere +that produced an exhilarating effect on the spirits. The grocer pursued +his course through the middle of the street, carefully avoiding all +contact with such persons as he encountered, though he cordially +returned their greetings, and wandered on, scarcely knowing whither he +was going, but deeply interested in all he beheld. + +The aspect of the city was indeed most curious. The houses were for the +most part unoccupied--the streets overgrown with grass--while every +object, animate and inanimate, bore some marks of the recent visitation. +Still, all looked hopeful, and the grocer could not doubt that the worst +was past. The different demeanour of the various individuals he met +struck him. Now he passed a young man whistling cheerily, who saluted +him, and said, "I have lost my sweetheart by the plague, but I shall +soon get another." The next was a grave man, who muttered, "I have lost +all," and walked pensively on. Then came others in different moods; but +all concurred in thinking that the plague was at an end; and the grocer +derived additional confirmation of the fact from meeting numerous carts +and other vehicles bringing families back to their houses from the +country. + +After roaming about for several hours, and pondering on all he saw, he +found himself before the great western entrance of Saint Paul's. It +chanced to be the morning on which the pallets and bedding were brought +forth, and he watched the proceeding at a distance. All had been +removed, and he was about to depart, when he perceived a person seated +on a block of stone, not far from him, whom he instantly recognised. +"Leonard," he cried--"Leonard Holt, is it you?" + +Thus addressed, and in these familiar tones, the apprentice looked up, +and Mr. Bloundel started at the change that had taken place in him. +Profound grief was written in every line of his thin and haggard +countenance; his eyes were hollow, and had the most melancholy +expression imaginable; and his flesh was wasted away from the bone. He +looked the very image of hopeless affliction. + +"I am sorry to find you in this state, Leonard," said the grocer, in a +tone of deep commiseration; "but I am well aware of the cause. I myself +have suffered severely; but I deem it my duty to control my affliction." + +"I _would_ control it, if it were possible, Mr. Bloundel," replied +Leonard. "But hope is dead in my breast. I shall never be happy again." + +"I trust otherwise," replied the grocer, kindly. "Your trials have been +very great, and so were those of the poor creature we both of us +deplore. But she is at peace, and therefore we need not lament her." + +"Alas!" exclaimed Leonard, mournfully, "I am now only anxious to rejoin +her." + +"It is selfish, if not sinful, to grieve in this way," rejoined Mr. +Bloundel, somewhat sternly. "You must bear your sorrows like a man. Come +home with me. I will be a father to you. Nay, do not hesitate. I will +have no refusal." + +So saying, he took Leonard's arm, and led him in the direction of +Wood-street. Nothing passed between them on the way, nor did Leonard +evince any further emotion until he entered the door of the grocer's +dwelling, when he uttered a deep groan. Mrs. Bloundel was greatly +affected at seeing him, as were the rest of the family, and abundance of +tears were shed by all, except Mr. Bloundel, who maintained his +customary stoical demeanour throughout the meeting. + +Satisfied that the pestilence had not declined sufficiently to warrant +him in opening his house, the grocer determined to await the result of a +few weeks. Indeed, that very night, he had reason to think he had +defeated his plans by precipitancy. While sitting after prayers with his +family, he was seized with a sudden shivering and sickness, which he +could not doubt were the precursors of the plague. He was greatly +alarmed, but did not lose his command over himself. + +"I have been most imprudent," he said, "in thus exposing myself to +infection. I have symptoms of the plague about me, and will instantly +repair to one of the upper rooms which I have laid aside as an hospital, +in case of any emergency like the present. None of you must attend me. +Leonard will fetch Doctor Hodges and a nurse. I shall then do very well. +Farewell, dear wife and children! God bless you all, and watch over you. +Remember me in your prayers." So saying, he arose and walked towards the +door. His wife and eldest son would have assisted him, but he motioned +them away. + +"Let me go with you, sir," cried Leonard, who had arisen with the +others; "I will nurse you; my life is of little consequence, and I +cannot be more satisfactorily employed." + +The grocer reluctantly assented, and the apprentice assisted him +upstairs, and helped to place him in bed. No plague-token could be found +about his person, but as the same alarming symptoms still continued, +Leonard administered such remedies as he thought needful, and then went +in search of Doctor Hodges. + +On reaching Watling-street, he found Doctor Hodges about to retire to +rest. The worthy physician was greatly distressed by the apprentice's +account of his master's illness; but was somewhat reassured when the +symptoms were more minutely described to him. While preparing certain +medicines, and arming himself with his surgical implements, he +questioned Leonard as to the cause of his long disappearance. "Having +seen nothing of you," he said, "since the fatal night when our poor +Amabel's sorrows were ended, I began to feel very apprehensive on your +account. Where have you been?" + +"You shall hear," replied Leonard, "though the relation will be like +opening my wounds afresh. On recovering from the terrible shock I had +received, I found myself stretched upon a bed in a house whither I had +been conveyed by Rainbird the watchman, who had discovered me lying in a +state of insensibility in the street. For nearly a week I continued +delirious, and should, probably, have lost my senses altogether but for +the attentions of the watchman. As soon as I was able to move, I +wandered to the lesser plague-pit, in Finsbury Fields, you will guess +with what intent. My heart seemed breaking, and I thought I should pour +forth my very soul in grief, as I gazed into that dreadful gulf, and +thought she was there interred. Still my tears were a relief. Every +evening, for a month, I went to that sad spot, and remained there till +daybreak admonished me to return to Rainbird's dwelling. At last, he was +seized by the distemper; but though I nursed him, voluntarily exposing +myself to infection, and praying to be carried off, I remained +untouched. Poor Rainbird died; and having seen his body thrown into the +pit, I set off into Berkshire, and after three days' toilsome travel on +foot, reached Ashdown Park. It was a melancholy pleasure to behold the +abode where she I had loved passed her last few days of happiness, and +where I had been near her. Her aunt, good Mrs. Buscot, though +overwhelmed by affliction at the sad tidings I brought her, received me +with the utmost kindness, and tried to console me. My sorrow, however, +was too deeply seated to be removed. Wandering over the downs, I visited +Mrs. Compton at Kingston Lisle, from whose house Amabel was carried off +by the perfidious earl. She, also, received me with kindness, and +strove, like Mrs. Buscot, to comfort me, and, like her, ineffectually. +Finding my strength declining, and persuaded that my days were drawing +to a close, I retraced my steps to London, hoping to find a final +resting-place near her I had loved." + +"You are, indeed, faithful to the grave, Leonard," said the physician, +brushing away a tear; "and I never heard or read of affection stronger +than yours. Sorrow is a great purifier, and you will come out all the +better for your trial. You are yet young, and though you never can love +as you _have_ loved, a second time, your heart is not utterly seared." + +"Utterly, sir," echoed Leonard, "utterly." + +"You think so, now," rejoined the physician. "But you will find it +otherwise hereafter. I can tell you of one person who has suffered +almost as much from your absence as you have done for the loss of +Amabel. The Lady Isabella Argentine has made constant inquiries after +you; and though I should be the last person to try to rouse you from +your present state of despondency, by awakening hopes of alliance with +the sister of a proud noble, yet it may afford you consolation to know +that she still cherishes the warmest regard for you." + +"I am grateful to her," replied Leonard, sadly, but without exhibiting +any other emotion. "She was dear to Amabel, and therefore will be ever +dear to me. I would fain know," he added, his brow suddenly contracting, +and his lip quivering, "what has become of the Earl of Rochester?" + +"He has married a wealthy heiress, the fair Mistress Mallet," replied +Hodges. + +"Married, and so soon!" cried Leonard. "And he has quite forgotten his +victim?" + +"Apparently so," replied the doctor, with an expression of disgust. + +"And it was for one who so lightly regarded her that she sacrificed +herself," groaned Leonard, his head dropping upon his breast. + +"Come," cried Hodges, taking his arm, and leading him out of the room; +"we must go and look after your master." + +With this, they made the best of their way to Wood-street. Arrived at +the grocer's house, they went upstairs, and Hodges immediately +pronounced Mr. Bloundel to be suffering from a slight feverish attack, +which a sudorific powder would remove. Having administered the remedy, +he descended to the lower room to allay the fears of the family. Mrs. +Bloundel received the happy tidings with tears of joy, and the doctor +remained a short time to condole with her on the loss she had sustained. +The good dame wept bitterly on hearing the whole particulars, with which +she had been hitherto unacquainted, attending her daughter's untimely +death, but she soon regained her composure. They then spoke of Leonard, +who had remained above with his master,--of his blighted hopes, and +seemingly incurable affliction. + +"His is true love, indeed, doctor," sighed Mrs. Bloundel. "Pity it is +that it could not be requited." + +"I know not how it is," rejoined Hodges, "and will not question the +decrees of our All-Wise Ruler, but the strongest affection seldom, if +ever, meets a return. Leonard himself was insensible to the devotion of +one, of whom I may say, without disparagement to our poor Amabel, that +she was, in my opinion, her superior in beauty." + +"And does this person love him still?" inquired Mrs. Bloundel, eagerly. +"I ask, because I regard him as a son, and earnestly desire to restore +him to happiness." + +"Alas!" exclaimed Hodges, "there are obstacles in the way that cannot be +removed. We must endeavour to cure him of his grief in some other way." + +The conversation then dropped, and Hodges took his leave, promising to +return on the morrow, and assuring Mrs. Bloundel that she need be under +no further apprehension about her husband. And so it proved. The +powders removed all the grocer's feverish symptoms, and when Doctor +Hodges made his appearance the next day, he found him dressed, and ready +to go downstairs. Having received the physician's congratulations on his +entire recovery, Mr. Bloundel inquired from him when he thought he might +with entire safety open his shop. Hodges considered for a moment, and +then replied, "I do not see any great risk in doing so now, but I would +advise you to defer the step for a fortnight. I would, also, recommend +you to take the whole of your family for a short time into the country. +Pure air and change of scene are absolutely necessary after their long +confinement." + +"Farmer Wingfield, of Kensal-Green, who sheltered us on our way down to +Ashdown Park, will, I am sure, receive you," observed Leonard. + +"If so, you cannot go to a better place," rejoined the physician. + +"I will think of it," returned Mr. Bloundel. And leading the way +downstairs, he was welcomed by his wife and children with the warmest +demonstrations of delight. + +"My fears, you perceive, were groundless," he remarked to Mrs. Bloundel. + +"Heaven be praised, they were so!" she rejoined. "But I entreat you not +to go forth again till all danger is at an end." + +"Rest assured I will not," he answered. Soon after this, Doctor Hodges +took his leave, and had already reached the street-door, when he was +arrested by Patience, who inquired with much anxiety whether he knew +anything of Blaize. + +"Make yourself easy about him, child," replied the doctor; "I am pretty +sure he is safe and sound. He has had the plague, certainly; but he left +the hospital at Saint Paul's cured. + +"O then I _shall_ see him again," cried Patience, joyfully. "Poor dear +little fellow, it would break my heart to lose him." + +"I will make inquiries about him," rejoined Hodges, "and if I can find +him, will send him home." And without waiting to receive the +kitchen-maid's thanks, he departed. + +For some days the grocer continued to pursue pretty nearly the same line +of conduct that he had adopted during the height of the pestilence. But +he did not neglect to make preparations for resuming his business; and +here Leonard was of material assistance to him. They often spoke of +Amabel, and Mr. Bloundel strove, by every argument he was master of, to +remove the weight of affliction under which his apprentice laboured. He +so far succeeded that Leonard's health improved, though he still seemed +a prey to secret sorrow. Things were in this state, when one day a knock +was heard at the street-door, and the summons being answered by the +grocer's eldest son, Stephen, he returned with the intelligence that a +person was without who desired to see Patience. After some +consideration, Mr. Bloundel summoned the kitchen-maid, and told her she +might admit the stranger into the passage, and hear what he had to say. +Patience hastened with a beating heart to the door, expecting to learn +some tidings of Blaize, and opening it, admitted a man wrapped in a +large cloak and having a broad-leaved hat pulled over his brows. +Stepping into the passage, he threw aside the cloak and raised the hat, +discovering the figure and features of Pillichody. + +"What brings you here, sir?" demanded Patience, in alarm, and glancing +over her shoulder to see whether any one observed them. "What do you +want?" + +"I have brought you news of Blaize," returned the bully. "But how +charmingly you look. By the coral lips of Venus! your long confinement +has added to your attractions." + +"Never mind my attractions, sir," rejoined Patience, impatiently. "Where +is Blaize? Why did he not come with you?" + +"Alas!" replied Pillichody, shaking his head in a melancholy manner, "he +could not." + +"Could not!" half screamed Patience. "Why not?" + +"Do not question me," replied Pillichody, feigning to brush away a tear. +"He was my friend, and I would rather banish him from my memory. The +sight of your beauty transports me so, that, by the treasures of +Croesus! I would rather have you without a crown than the wealthiest +widow in the country." + +"Don't talk nonsense to me in this way," sobbed Patience "I'm not in the +humour for it." + +"Nonsense!" echoed Pillichody. "I swear to you I am in earnest. By +Cupid! I am ravished with your charms." And he would have seized her +hand, but Patience hastily withdrew it; and, provoked at his +impertinence, dealt him a sound box on the ear. As she did this, she +thought she heard a suppressed laugh near her, and looked round, but +could see no one. The sound certainly did not proceed from Pillichody, +for he looked very red and very angry. + +"Do not repeat this affront, mistress," he said to her. "I can bear +anything but a blow from your sex." + +"Then tell me what has become of Blaize," she cried. + +"I will no longer spare your feelings," he rejoined. "He is defunct." + +"Defunct!" echoed Patience, with a scream. "Oh, dear me!--I shall never +survive it--I shall die." + +"Not while I am left to supply his place," cried Pillichody, catching +her in his arms. + +"You!" cried Patience, contemptuously; "I would not have you for the +world. Where is he buried?" + +"In the plague-pit," replied Pillichody. "I attended him during his +illness. It was his second attack of the disorder. He spoke of you." + +"Did he?--dear little fellow!" she exclaimed. "Oh, what did he say?" + +"'Tell her,' he cried," rejoined Pillichody, "'that my last thoughts +were of her.'" + +"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" cried Patience, hysterically. + +"'Tell her also,' he added," pursued Pillichody, "'that I trust she will +fulfil my last injunction.'" + +"That I will," replied Patience. "Name it." + +"He conjured you to marry me," replied Pillichody. "I am sure you will +not hesitate to comply with the request." + +"I don't believe a word of this," cried Patience. "Blaize was a great +deal too jealous to bequeath me to another." + +"Right, sweetheart, right," cried the individual in question, pushing +open the door. "This has all been done to try your fidelity. I am now +fully satisfied with your attachment; and am ready to marry you whenever +you please." + +"So this was all a trick," cried Patience, pettishly; "I wish I had +known it, I would have retaliated upon you nicely. You ought to be +ashamed of yourself, Major Pillichody, to lend a helping-hand in such a +ridiculous affair." + +"I did it to oblige my friend Blaize," replied Pillichody. "It was +agreed between us that if you showed any inconstancy, you were to be +mine." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Patience. "I would not advise you to repeat the +experiment, Mr. Blaize." + +"I never intend to do so, my angel," replied the porter. "I esteem +myself the happiest and most fortunate of men." + +"You have great reason to do so," observed Pillichody. "I do not despair +of supplanting him yet," he muttered to himself. "And now, farewell!" he +added aloud; "I am only in the way, and besides, I have no particular +desire to encounter Mr. Bloundel or his apprentice;" and winking his +solitary orb significantly at Patience, he strutted away. It was well he +took that opportunity of departing, for the lovers' raptures were +instantly afterwards interrupted by the appearance of Mr. Bloundel, who +was greatly delighted to see the porter, and gave him a hearty welcome. + +"Ah, sir, I have had a narrow escape," cried Blaize, "and never more +expected to see you, or my mother, or Patience. I _have_ had the plague, +sir, and a terrible disorder it is." + +"I heard or your seizure from Leonard Holt," replied Mr. Bloundel. "But +where have you been since you left the hospital at Saint Paul's?" + +"In the country, sir," rejoined Blaize; "sometimes at one farm-house, +and sometimes at another. I only returned to London yesterday, and met +an old friend, whom I begged to go before me, and see that all was right +before I ventured, in." + +"We have all been providentially spared," observed Mr. Bloundel, "and +you will find your mother as well as when you last quitted her. You had +better go to her." + +Blaize obeyed, and was received by old Josyna with a scream of delight. +Having embraced him, and sobbed over him, she ran for a bottle of sack, +and poured its contents down his throat so hastily as nearly to choke +him. She then spread abundance of eatables before him, and after he had +eaten and drank his full, offered him as a treat a little of the plague +medicine which she had in reserve. + +"No, thank you, mother," replied Blaize. "I have had enough of _that_. +But if there should be a box of rufuses amongst the store, you can bring +it, as I think a couple might do me good." + +Three days after this event, the apprentice was sent forth to ascertain +the precise state of the city, as, if all proved favourable, the grocer +proposed to open his house on the following day. Leonard set out +betimes, and was speedily convinced that all danger was at an end. A +severe frost had set in, and had completely purified the air. For the +last few days there had been no deaths of the plague, and but little +mortality of any kind. Leonard traversed several of the main streets, +and some narrow thoroughfares, and found evidences of restored health +and confidence everywhere. It is true there were many houses, in which +whole families had been swept off, still left untenanted. But these were +only memorials of the past calamity, and could not be referred to any +existing danger. Before returning to Wood-street, an irresistible +impulse led him to Finsbury Fields. He passed through the postern east +of Cripplegate, and shaped his way towards the lesser plague-pit. The +sun, which had been bright all the morning, was now partially obscured; +the air had grown thick, and a little snow fell. The ground was +blackened and bound by the hard frost, and the stiffened grass felt +crisp beneath his feet. Insensible to all external circumstances, he +hurried forward, taking the most direct course, and leaping every +impediment in his path. Having crossed several fields, he at length +stood before a swollen heap of clay, round which a wooden railing was +placed. Springing over the enclosure, and uttering a wild cry that +evinced the uncontrollable anguish of his breast, he flung himself upon +the mound. He remained for some time in the deepest affliction, and was +at last roused by. a hand laid upon his shoulder, and, raising himself, +beheld Thirlby. + +"I thought it must be you," said the new comer, in accents of the +deepest commiseration. "I have been visiting yonder plague-pit for the +same melancholy purpose as yourself,--to mourn over my lost child. I +have been in search of you, and have much to say to you. Will you meet +me in this place at midnight tomorrow?" Leonard signified his assent. + +"I am in danger," pursued Thirlby, "for, by some means, the secret of my +existence has been made known, and the officers of justice are in +pursuit of me. I suspect that Judith Malmayns is my betrayer. You will +not fail me?" + +"I will not," returned Leonard. Upon this, Thirlby hurried away, and +leaping a hedge, disappeared from view. + +Leonard slowly and sorrowfully returned to Wood-street. On arriving +there, he assured his master that he might with entire safety open his +house, as he proposed, on the morrow; and Doctor Hodges, who visited the +grocer the same evening, confirmed the opinion. Early, therefore, the +next morning, Mr. Bloundel summoned his family to prayers; and after +pouring forth his supplications with peculiar fervour and solemnity, he +went, accompanied by them all, and threw open the street-door. Again, +kneeling down at the threshold, he prayed fervently, as before. He then +proceeded to remove the bars and shutters from the windows. The +transition from gloom and darkness to bright daylight was almost +overpowering. For the first time for six months, the imprisoned family +looked forth on the external world, and were dazzled and bewildered by +the sight. The grocer himself, despite his sober judgment, could +scarcely believe he had not been in a trance during the whole period. +The shop was scarcely opened before it was filled with customers, and +Leonard and Stephen were instantly employed. But the grocer would sell +nothing. To those who asked for any article he possessed, he presented +them with it, but would receive no payment. + +He next dispatched Blaize to bring together all the poor he could find, +and distributed among them the remainder of his store--his casks of +flour, his salted meat, his cheeses, his biscuits, his wine--in short, +all that was left. + +"This I give," he said, "as a thanksgiving to the Lord, and as a humble +testimony of gratitude for my signal deliverance." + + + + +II. THE MIDNIGHT MEETING. + +The first day of his deliverance being spent by the grocer in the +praiseworthy manner before related, he laid his head upon his pillow +with a feeling of satisfaction such as he had not for months +experienced. A very remarkable dream occurred to him that night, and its +recollection afterwards afforded him the greatest consolation. While +thinking of Amabel, and of the delight her presence would have afforded +him, slumber stole upon him, and his dreams were naturally influenced by +his previous meditations. It appeared to him that he was alone within +his house, and while visiting one of the upper rooms, which had formerly +been appropriated to his lost daughter, he noticed a small door in the +wall that had never before attracted his attention. He immediately +pushed against it, and yielding to the touch, it admitted him to an +apartment with which he seemed acquainted, though he could not recall +the time when he had seen it. It was large and gloomy, panelled with +dark and lustrous oak, and filled with rich but decayed furniture. At +the further end stood a large antique bed, hung round with tarnished +brocade curtains. The grocer shuddered at the sight, for he remembered +to have heard Doctor Hodges assert, that in such a bed, and in such a +room as this, his daughter had breathed her last. Some one appeared to +be within the bed, and rushing forward with a throbbing heart, and a +foreboding of what was to follow, he beheld the form of Amabel. Yes, +there she was, with features like those she wore on earth, but clothed +with such celestial beauty, and bearing the impress of such serene +happiness, that the grocer felt awe-struck as he gazed at her! + +"Approach, my father," said the visionary form, in a voice so musical +that it thrilled through his frame--"approach, and let what you now hear +be for ever graven upon your heart. Do not lament me more, but rather +rejoice that I am removed from trouble, and in the enjoyment of supreme +felicity. Such a state you will yourself attain. You have run the good +race, and will assuredly reap your reward. Comfort my dear mother, my +brothers, my little sister, with the assurance of what I tell you, and +bid them dry their tears. I can now read the secrets of all hearts, and +know how true was Leonard Holt's love for me, and how deep and sincere +is his present sorrow. But I am not permitted to appear to him as I now +appear to you. Often have I heard him invoke me in accents of the +wildest despair, and have floated past him on the midnight breeze, but +could neither impart consolation to him nor make him sensible of my +presence, because his grief was sinful. Bid him be comforted. Bid him +put a due control upon his feelings. Bid him open his heart anew, and he +shall yet be happy, yet love again, and have his love requited. +Farewell, dear father!" + +And with these words the curtains of the bed closed. The grocer +stretched out his arm to draw them aside, and in the effort awoke. He +slept no more that night, but dwelt with unutterable delight on the +words he had heard. On rising, his first object was to seek out Leonard, +and to relate his vision to him. The apprentice listened in speechless +wonder, and remained for some time lost in reflection. + +"From any other person than yourself, sir," he said, at length, "I might +have doubted this singular story, but coming from you, I attach implicit +credence to it. I _will_ obey your sainted daughter's injunctions; I +_will_ struggle against the grief that overwhelms me, and will try to +hope that her words may be fulfilled." + +"You will do wisely," rejoined Mr. Bloundel. "After breakfast we will +walk together to the farmhouse you spoke of at Kensal Green, and if its +owner should prove willing to receive my family for a few weeks, I will +remove them thither at once." + +Leonard applauded his master's resolution, expressing his firm +conviction that Farmer Wingfield would readily accede to the proposal, +and the rest of the family having by this time assembled, they sat down +to breakfast. As soon as the meal was over, Mr. Bloundel intrusted the +care of the shop to Stephen and Blaize, and accompanied by Leonard, set +forth. On the way to the west end of the town, the grocer met one or two +of his old friends, and they welcomed each other like men risen from the +grave. Their course took them through Saint Giles's, where the plague +had raged with the greatest severity, and where many houses were still +without tenants. + +"If all had acted as I have done," sighed the grocer, as he gazed at +these desolate habitations, "how many lives, under God's providence, +would have been saved!" + +"In my opinion, sir," replied Leonard, "you owe your preservation as +much to your piety as to your prudence." + +"I have placed my trust on high," rejoined the grocer, "and have not +been forsaken. And yet many evil doers have escaped; amongst others--" + +"I know whom you mean, sir," interrupted Leonard, with some fierceness, +"but a day of retribution will arrive for him." + +"No more of this," rejoined the grocer, severely. "Remember the solemn +injunction you have received." + +At this moment they observed a horseman, richly attired, and followed by +a couple of attendants, riding rapidly towards them. Both instantly +recognised him. The apprentice's cheek and brow flushed with anger, and +Mr. Bloundel had much ado to control his emotion. It was the Earl of +Rochester, and on seeing them he instantly dismounted, and flinging his +bridle to one of the attendants, advanced towards them. Noticing the +fury that gleamed in Leonard's eyes, and apprehending some violence on +his part, the grocer laid his hand, upon his arm, and sternly enjoined +him to calm himself. + +By this time, the earl had reached them. "Mr. Bloundel," he said, in a +tone of much emotion, and with a look that seemed to bespeak contrition. +"I heard that you had opened your house yesterday, and was about to call +upon you. I have a few words to say to you on a subject painful to both +of us, but doubly painful to me--your daughter." + +"I must decline to hear them, my lord," replied the grocer, coldly; "nor +shall you ever cross my threshold again with my consent. My poor child +is now at peace. You can do her no further injury, and must settle your +own account with your Maker." + +"Do not refuse me your forgiveness," implored the earl. "I will make +every reparation in my power." + +"You _can_ make none," replied the grocer, repelling him; "and as to my +forgiveness, I neither refuse it nor accord it. I pray your lordship to +let me pass. The sole favour I ask of you is to come near me no more." + +"I obey you," replied the earl. "Stay," he added to Leonard, who stood +by, regarding him with a look of deadly animosity. "I would give you a +piece of caution. Your life is in danger." + +"I can easily guess from whom," replied the apprentice, scornfully. + +"You mistake," rejoined Rochester; "you have nothing to apprehend from +me. You have promised to meet some one to-night," he added, in so low a +tone as to be inaudible to the grocer. "Do not go." + +"Your lordship's warning will not deter me," rejoined the apprentice. + +"As you will," rejoined Rochester, turning away. And springing upon his +horse, and striking his spurs into his side, he dashed off, while +Leonard and the grocer took the opposite direction. In less than half an +hour they reached the little village of Paddington, then consisting of a +few houses, but now one of the most populous and important parishes of +the metropolis, and speedily gained the open country. Even at this +dreary season the country had charms, which Mr. Bloundel, after his long +confinement, could fully appreciate. His eye roamed over the wide +prospect; and the leafless trees, the bare hedges, and the frost-bound +fields seemed pleasant in his sight. + +He quickened his pace, and being wholly indifferent to the cold, greatly +enjoyed the exercise. Leonard pointed out to him the spots where the +fugitives from the plague had pitched their tents, and also the +pest-house near Westbourne Green, where he himself had been received +during his second attack of the distemper, and which was now altogether +abandoned. + +Soon after this, they mounted the hill beyond Kensal Green, and +approached the farmhouse. Leonard descried Wingfield near one of the +barns, and hailing him, he immediately came forward. On being informed +of Mr. Bloundel's desire, he at once assented, and taking them into the +house, mentioned the matter to his dame, who was quite of the same +opinion as himself. + +"The only difference between us," he said to Mr. Bloundel, "is as to the +payment you propose. Now I will take none--not a farthing. Come when you +please, bring whom you please, and stay as long as you please. But don't +offer me anything if you would not offend me. Recollect," he added, the +moisture forcing itself into his eyes, and his strong clear voice +becoming husky with emotion, "that I loved your daughter for her +resemblance to my poor child. She, too, is gone. I do this for her +sake." + +Mr. Bloundel shook the worthy man warmly by the hand, but he made no +further objection, resolved in his own mind to find some other means of +requiting his hospitality. It was then agreed that the grocer should +bring his family on the following day, and remain there for a month; and +every other arrangement being made, and a hearty meal partaken of, he +cordially thanked his host, and returned with Leonard to Wood-street. + +In spite of his efforts to resist the impression produced by the earl's +warning, Leonard could not banish it from his mind; and though he did +not for a moment think of abandoning his purpose, he resolved to attend +the meeting armed. He told Mr. Bloundel he should go out that night, but +did not state his object, and the grocer did not inquire it. Blaize sat +up with him, and displayed much anxiety to know whither he was going, +but, as may be supposed, his curiosity was not gratified. As the clock +struck eleven, Leonard thrust a sword into his girdle, and arming +himself furthermore with his staff, proceeded towards the door, and bade +Blaize lock it after him. + +"I shall probably be back in a couple of hours," he said, as he went +forth. "You must sit up for me." + +"I wonder where he is going!" thought Blaize, "From his gloomy looks, +and the weapon he has taken with him, I should judge he is about to +murder some one--perhaps the Earl of Rochester. It must be prevented." + +With this view, though perhaps rather more influenced by curiosity than +any better feeling, the porter waited a few seconds to allow the +apprentice to get out of sight, and then locking the door outside, put +the key in his pocket, and followed him. The night was profoundly dark, +but he had noticed the direction taken by Leonard, and running +noiselessly along the street, soon perceived him a little in advance. +Regulating his pace by that of the apprentice, and keeping about fifty +yards behind him, he tracked his course along several streets, until he +saw him pass through the second postern in the city wall, near Moorgate. + +Here he debated with himself whether to proceed further or turn back; +but at length, curiosity got the best of his fears, and he went on. A +few steps brought him into the open fields, and fancying he saw Leonard +at a little distance before him, he hurried on in that direction. But he +soon found he had been deceived by the stump of a tree, and began to +fear he must have taken the wrong course. He looked around in vain for +some object to guide him. The darkness was so profound that he could see +nothing, and he set off again at random, and not without much +self-reproach and misgiving. At last, he reached a hedge, and continued +to skirt it, until he perceived through the bushes the light of a +lantern in the adjoining field. He immediately called out, but at the +cry the light disappeared. This did not prevent him from making towards +the spot where he had seen it; but he had not proceeded far when he was +forcibly seized by some unseen person, thrown on the ground, and a drawn +sword--for he felt the point--placed at his throat. + +"Utter a cry, and it is your last," cried a stern voice. "Where is he?" + +"Who--who?" demanded Blaize, half dead with terror. + +"He whom you appointed to meet," replied the unknown. + +"I appointed to meet no one," rejoined Blaize. + +"Liar!" exclaimed the other; "if you do not instantly lead me to him, I +will cut your throat." + +"I will lead you wherever you please, if you will only let me get up," +rejoined Blaize, with difficulty repressing a cry. + +"By the daughters of Nox and Acheron!" exclaimed a voice which sounded +like music in the porter's ears, "I think you are mistaken in your man, +my lord. It does not sound like the apprentice's voice." + +"It is _not_ the apprentice's voice, good Major Pillichody," rejoined +the porter. "It is mine, your friend--Blaize's." + +"Blaize!" exclaimed Pillichody, unmasking a dark lantern, and revealing +the terror-stricken countenance of the porter; "so it is. In the devil's +name, what are you doing here?" + +"The devil himself, who put it into my head to come, only knows," +replied Blaize; "but I followed Leonard Holt." + +"Which way did he take?" asked the person who had assailed him. + +"I cannot exactly say," replied Blaize, "but he seemed to go straight +into the fields." + +"He is no doubt gone to the plague-pit," replied the other. "You are now +at liberty," he added to Blaize, "and I counsel you to make the best of +your way home. Say nothing to your master of what has occurred. The city +walls lie in that direction." + +Overjoyed to be released, Blaize ran off as fast as his legs could carry +him, and never stopped till he reached Moorgate. Meanwhile, Leonard had +reached the place of meeting. As he stood by the rail surrounding the +plague-pit, he thought of Mr. Bloundel's singular dream, and almost +hoping to be similarly favoured, flung himself on his knees, and +besought Amabel, if it were possible, to appear to him. But his +entreaties produced no result. The chill blast whistled past him, and, +mindful of what had been told him, he was fain to interpret this into an +answer to his request. The night was bitterly cold, and Leonard, whose +limbs were almost stiffened by long kneeling, walked round and round the +enclosure at a quick pace to put his blood into circulation. As the hour +of midnight was tolled forth by the neighbouring churches, he heard +footsteps, and could just detect a figure advancing towards him. + +"Are you there?" was asked in the voice of Thirlby. Leonard replied in +the affirmative, and the other instantly joined him. + +"Have you mentioned our meeting to any one?" inquired Leonard. "I ask, +because I was warned by the Earl of Rochester not to attend it." + +"Strange!" exclaimed Thirlby, musingly. "However, do not let us waste +time. I am about to leave London, perhaps this country--for ever. But I +could not depart without an interview with you. You are aware of my +strong attachment to my poor lost child. My daughter Isabella now +supplies her place in my heart. She is the only being I love on earth, +for my son has alienated himself from my affections. All I desire is to +see her happy. This, I find, can only be accomplished in one way." + +Here he paused for a moment, but as Leonard made no remark, he +proceeded. "Why should I hesitate to declare it," he said, "since it was +for that object I brought you hither? She loves you--devotedly loves +you--and if her wishes were opposed, I should tremble for the +consequences. Now listen to me. Situated as you are, you never can wed +her. I will, however, point out a means by which you can raise yourself +to distinction in a short time, and so entitle yourself to claim her +hand. I will supply you with money--more than you can require--will +place you at court--near the king's person--and if you act under my +direction, your rise is certain. I have extorted a promise to this +effect from my own son. I told him my object, and that if he did not +make your fortune, I could ruin him by revealing myself. I may, perhaps, +pay the penalty of my crime on the scaffold; but I may also escape. In +the latter case, my reappearance would be fatal to him. He has consented +to cooperate with me, to watch over your fortunes, and, as soon as you +have attained sufficient eminence, to bestow his sister upon you. Now do +you understand?" + +"I do," replied Leonard; "and I understand also against whom the Earl of +Rochester warned me." + +"And you consent," demanded Thirlby. + +Leonard, was about to answer, when he felt a light and trembling hand +placed upon his own. "Do not answer inconsiderately, Leonard," said a +low, sweet voice, which he recognised as that of the Lady Isabella; "I +am here to receive your determination." + +"I am glad of it," replied the apprentice. "The deep devotion you have +displayed towards me deserves to be requited. I will strive to render +myself worthy of you, and I feel that by so doing I shall best fulfil +the injunctions of her who lies beside us. Henceforth, Lady Isabella, I +wholly devote myself to you." + +A murmur of delight escaped her. "My blessings on you both!" exclaimed +her father. "Give me your hand, Isabella," he added, taking it and +placing it in that of the apprentice. "Here, beside the grave of her +whom you both loved, I affiance you. Pursue the course I point out to +you, Leonard, and she will soon be yours." + +As he spoke, the light of a lantern was suddenly thrown upon them, +disclosing two persons who had noiselessly approached. They were Lord +Argentine and Pillichody. "You affirm more than you have warrant for, my +lord," said the former. "I will never consent to this ill-assorted and +dishonourable union; and, so far from permitting it, will oppose it to +the utmost of my power. If this presumptuous apprentice dares to raise +his views towards my sister, let him look to himself. Your safety lies +in instant flight. The officers are in search of you." + +"They shall find me," replied Thirlby, sternly. + +"As you please," rejoined Argentine. "Come with me, Isabella," he added +to his sister. But she flew with a cry towards Leonard. + +"Ah!" exclaimed her brother, drawing his sword. "Do you dare to detain, +her? Deliver her to me, villain, instantly!" + +"Not when thus menaced, my lord," rejoined Leonard, likewise drawing his +sword, and standing upon the defensive. + +"Then look to yourself," replied Argentine, assaulting him. + +Isabella uttered a wild shriek, and Thirlby tried to rush between them. +But before they could be separated, Lord Argentine's fury had exposed +him to his adversary, whose sword passed through his body. He fell to +the ground, weltering in his blood. While Leonard stood stupefied and +confounded at what had occurred, and Isabella, uttering a loud cry, +threw herself upon the body and tried to stanch the wound--two men, with +halberds in their hands rushed forward, and seizing Thirlby, cried, "We +arrest you as a murderer!" + +Thirlby, who seemed utterly overcome by surprise and horror, offered no +resistance. At this juncture Leonard felt his arm seized by a +bystander--he did not know whom--and scarcely conscious of what was +taking place, suffered himself to be dragged from the scene. + + + + +BOOK THE SIXTH. + +SEPTEMBER, 1666. + + + + +I. THE FIRE-HALL. + +About nine o'clock on the night of Saturday, the second of September, +1666--and rather more than nine months after the incidents last +related,--three men took their way from Smithfield to Islington. They +proceeded at a swift pace and in silence, until, having mounted the +steep hill on which the suburb in question is situated, they halted at a +short distance from the high walls surrounding the great water-works +formed by the New-River-head. The night was dark, but free from cloud, +in consequence of a strong easterly wind which prevailed at the time. + +"It is dark in London now," observed one of the three persons to his +companions as he cast his eye in the direction of the great city, that +lay buried in gloom beneath them; "but there will be light enough soon." + +"A second dawn, and brighter than the first, shall arise upon it," +replied one of his companions, a tall, gaunt man, whose sole covering +was a sheepskin, girded round his loins. "Such a flame shall be kindled +within it, as hath not been seen since showers of brimstone and fire +descended upon the sinful cities of the plain. 'The Lord shall come with +flames of fire,'" he added, pointing his long staff towards the city. +"'He shall make them like a fiery oven, in the time of his wrath. They +shall be utterly consumed.'" + +"Amen!" exclaimed the third person, who stood near him, in a deep voice, +and with something of a foreign accent. + +"Not so loud, friends," rejoined the first speaker. "Let us set about +the task. I will ascertain that no one is on the watch." + +With this he moved towards the water-works, and skirting the circular +walls, to satisfy himself that all was secure, he returned to his +companions, and they proceeded to the principal entrance to the place. +Noiselessly unlocking the gates, the leader of the party admitted the +others into an open space of some extent, in the midst of which was a +large reservoir of water. He then gave each of them a small key, and +bidding them use despatch, they began to turn the cocks of the leaden +pipes connected with the reservoir, while he hastened to the further end +of the inclosure, and employed himself in a similar manner. In this way, +and in less than a quarter of an hour, the whole of the cocks were +stopped. + +"And now give me the keys," said the leader. + +Taking them as they were offered, he added his own to the number, and +flung them as far as he could into the reservoir, laughing slightly as +the noise of the splash occasioned by their fall into the water reached +the ears. + +"They will not be found till this pool is drained," he observed to his +companions. "And now let us go. Our business here is done." + +"Stay yet a moment," cried Solomon Eagle, who was standing at the brink +of the reservoir, with his eyes fixed upon it. "Stay!" he cried, +arresting him. "A vision rises before me. I see in this watery mirror a +representation of the burning city. And what are those fearful forms +that feed the flames? Fiends, in our likeness--fiends! And see how wide +and far the conflagration spreads. The whole city is swallowed up by an +earthquake. It sinks to the bottomless pit--down--down!" + +"No more of this," cried the leader, impatiently. "Come along." And, +followed by the others, he rushed to the gates, and locking them after +him, flung the key away. + +"A hundred pounds were paid to the servant of the chief officer of the +works to bring those keys to me," he said, "and he executed his +commission faithfully and well. Water will be vainly sought for to +quench the conflagration." + +"I like not the vision I have just beheld," said Solomon Eagle, in a +troubled tone. "It seems to portend mischief." + +"Think of it no more," rejoined the leader, "or regard it as it was--a +phantom created by your overheated imagination. Yon city has sinned so +deeply, that it is the will of Heaven it should be destroyed; and it has +been put into our hearts by the Supreme Power to undertake the terrible +task. We are the chosen instruments of the divine displeasure. +Everything favours the design--the long-continued dry weather--the +strong easterly wind, which will bear the flames into the heart of the +city--the want of water, occasioned by the stopping of these pipes, the +emptying of the various aqueducts, and the destruction of the Thames +water-tower, which we have accomplished. Everything favours it, I say, +and proves that the hand of Heaven directs us. Yes, London shall fall! +We have received our commission from on high, and must execute it, +regardless of the consequences. For my own part, I feel as little +compunction to the task, as the thunderbolt launched from on high does +for the tree it shivers." + +"Philip Grant has uttered my sentiments exactly," said the man who, it +has been mentioned, spoke with a slight foreign accent. "I have neither +misgiving nor compunction. You appear to have forgotten your own +denunciations, brother." + +"Not so, Brother Hubert," rejoined the enthusiast, "and I now recognise +in the vision a delusion of the Evil One to turn me from my holy +purpose. But it has failed. The impious and impenitent city is doomed, +and nothing can save it. And yet I would fain see it once more as I +beheld it this morn when day arose upon it for the last time, from the +summit of Saint Paul's. It looked so beautiful that my heart smote me, +and tears started to my eyes, to think that those goodly habitations, +those towers, temples, halls, and palaces, should so soon be levelled +with the dust." + +"Hear what the prophet saith," rejoined Hubert. "'Thou hast defiled thy +sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy +traffic. Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, and +will bring thee to ashes upon the earth, in the sight of all those that +behold thee.'" + +Solomon Eagle flung himself upon his knees, and his example was imitated +by the others. Having recited a prayer in a low deep tone, he arose, and +stretching out his arms, solemnly denounced the city. As he pronounced +the words, a red and fiery star shot from the dark vault of the sky, and +seemed to fall in the midst of the city. + +"Did you not see that sign?" cried Grant, eagerly. "It heralds us to our +task." + +So saying, he ran swiftly down the hill, and, followed by the others, +did not slacken his pace till they reached the city. They then shaped +their course more slowly towards Saint Paul's, and having gained the +precincts of the cathedral, Solomon Eagle, who now assumed the place of +leader, conducted them to a small door on the left of the great northern +entrance, and unlocking it, ushered them into a narrow passage behind +the rich carved work of the choir. Traversing it, they crossed the mid +aisle, and soon reached the steps leading to Saint Faith's. It was +profoundly dark, but they were all well acquainted with the road, and +did not miss their footing. It required, however, some caution to thread +the ranks of the mighty pillars filling the subterranean church. But at +last this was accomplished, and they entered the vault beyond the +charnel, where they found Chowles and Judith Malmayns. The former was +wrapped in a long black cloak, and was pacing to and fro within the +narrow chamber. When Solomon Eagle appeared, he sprang towards him, and +regarding him inquiringly, cried, "Have you done it?--have you done it?" + +The enthusiast replied in the affirmative. "Heaven be praised!" +exclaimed Chowles. And he skipped about with the wildest expressions of +delight. A gleam of satisfaction, too, darted from Judith's savage eyes. +She had neither risen nor altered her position on the arrival of the +party, but she now got up, and addressed the enthusiast. A small iron +lamp, suspended by a chain from the vaulted roof, lighted the chamber. +The most noticeable figure amidst the group was that of Solomon Eagle, +who, with his blazing eyes, long jet-black locks, giant frame, and tawny +skin, looked like a supernatural being. Near him stood the person +designated as Robert Hubert. He was a young man, and appeared to have +lived a life of great austerity. His features were thin; his large black +eyes set in deep caverns; his limbs seemed almost destitute of flesh; +and his looks wild and uncertain, like those of an insane person. His +tattered and threadbare garb resembled that of a French ecclesiastic. +The third person, who went by the name of Philip Grant, had a powerful +frame, though somewhat bent, and a haughty deportment and look, greatly +at variance with his miserable attire and haggard looks. His beard was +long and grizzled, and his features, though sharpened by care, retained +some traces of a noble expression. A few minutes having passed in +conversation, Grant observed to the enthusiast, "I must now leave you +for a short time. Give me the key that I may let myself out." + +"You are not going to betray us?" cried Chowles, suspiciously. + +"Why should I betray you?" rejoined Grant, sternly. "I am too anxious +for the event to disclose it." + +"True, true," replied Chowles. + +"_I_ do not mistrust you, brother," observed Solomon Eagle, giving him +the key. + +"I know whither you are going," observed Judith Malmayns. "You are about +to warn Mr. Bloundel and his partner--apprentice no longer--Leonard +Holt, of the approaching conflagration. But your care will be thrown +away." + +"Does she speak the truth, brother?" demanded Hubert, raising his eyes +from the Bible which he was reading in the corner of the vault. + +"I will do nothing to endanger the design," rejoined Grant; "of that +rest assured." + +With this, he strode forth, traversed Saint Faith's, and, +notwithstanding the gloom, reached, without difficulty, the little door +by which he had entered the cathedral. Issuing from it, he took the way, +as Judith had surmised, to Wood-street, and pausing before the grocer's +door, knocked against it. The summons was presently answered by Blaize; +and to Grant's inquiries whether his master was within, he replied, +"Which of my masters did you mean? I have two." + +"The younger," replied Grant, "Leonard Holt." + +"So far you are fortunate," rejoined Blaize. "Mr. Bloundel has retired +to rest, but Mr. Holt is still downstairs. Pray what may be your +business with him at this hour? It should be important." + +"It is important," rejoined Grant, "and does not admit of a moment's +delay. Tell him so." + +Eyeing the stranger with a look of suspicion, the porter was about to +enter into a parley with him, when Leonard himself cut it short, and +learning the nature of the application, desired Grant to follow him into +the adjoining room. The nine months which had passed over Leonard's head +since he was last brought under notice, had wrought a material change in +his appearance. He had a grave and thoughtful air, somewhat inclining to +melancholy, but in other respects he was greatly improved. His health +was completely restored, and the thoughtful expression added character +to his handsome physiognomy, and harmonised well with his manly and +determined bearing. He was habited plainly, but with some degree of +taste. As Judith Malmayns had intimated, he was now Mr. Bloundel's +partner, and his whole appearance denoted his improved circumstances. +The alteration did not escape the notice of the stranger, who regarded +him with much curiosity, and closed the door behind him as he entered +the room. + +"You are looking much better than when we last met, Leonard Holt," he +said, in tones that made his hearer start, "and I am glad to perceive +it. Prosperity seems to attend your path, and you deserve it; whereas +misery and every other ill--and I deserve them--dog mine." + +"I did not recognise you at first, Mr. Thirlby," replied Leonard; "for, +in truth, you are much changed. But you desire to speak with me on a +matter of importance. Can I aid you? You may need money. Here is my +purse." + +"I do not want it," replied the other, scornfully rejecting the offer. +"I have a proposal to make to you." + +"I shall be glad to hear it," replied Leonard. "But first tell me how +you effected your escape after your arrest on that disastrous night +when, in self-defence, and unintentionally, I wounded your son, Lord +Argentine?" + +"Would you had killed him!" cried the other, fiercely. "I have lost all +feelings of a father for him. He it was who contrived my arrest, and he +would have gladly seen me borne to the scaffold, certain it would have +freed him from me for ever. I was hurried away by the officers from the +scene of strife, and conveyed to the Tun at Cornhill, which you know has +been converted into a round-house, and where I was locked up for the +night. But while I was lying on the floor of my prison, driven well-nigh +frantic by what had occurred, there were two persons without labouring +to effect my deliverance--nor did they labour in vain. These were +Chowles and Judith, my foster-sister, and whom, you may remember, I +suspected--and most unfairly--of intending my betrayal. By means of a +heavy bribe, they prevailed on one of the officers to connive at my +escape. An iron bar was removed from the window of my prison, and I got +through the aperture. Judith concealed me for some days in the vaults of +Saint Faith's, after which I fled into the country, where I wandered +about for several months, under the name of Philip Grant. Having learnt +that my son though severely hurt by you, had recovered from his wound, +and that his sister, the Lady Isabella, had accompanied him to his seat +in Staffordshire, I proceeded thither, and saw her, unknown to him. I +found her heart still true to you. She told me you had disappeared +immediately after the termination of the conflict, and had not been +heard of till her brother was out of danger, when you returned to +Wood-street." + +"The information was correct," replied Leonard. "I was dragged away by a +person whom I did not recognise at the time, but who proved to be the +Earl of Rochester. He conducted me to a place of safety, thrust a purse +into my hand, and left me. As soon as I could do so with safety, I +returned to my master's house. But how long have you been in London?" + +"Nearly a month," replied Grant. "And now let me ask you one question. +Do you ever think of Isabella?" + +"Often, very often," replied Leonard. "But as I dare not indulge the +hope of a union with her, I have striven to banish her image from my +mind." + +"She cannot forget _you_, Leonard," rejoined Grant. "And now to my +proposal. I have another plan for your aggrandisement that cannot fail. +I am in possession of a monstrous design, the revelation of which will +procure you whatever you desire. Ask a title from the king, and he will +give it; and when in possession of that title, demand the hand of the +Lady Isabella, and her proud brother will not refuse you. Call in your +porter--seize me. I will offer a feigned resistance. Convey me before +the king. Make your own terms with him. He will accede to them. Will you +do it?" + +"No," replied Leonard, "I will not purchase the daughter at the price of +the father's life." + +"Heed me not," replied Grant, supplicatingly, "I am wholly indifferent +to life. And what matters it whether I am dragged to the scaffold for +one crime or another?" + +"You plead in vain," returned Leonard, firmly. + +"Reflect," cried Grant, in an agonised tone. "A word from you will not +only win you Isabella, but save the city from destruction." + +"Save the city!" exclaimed Leonard. "What mean you?" + +"Swear to comply with my request, and you shall know. But not +otherwise," replied Grant. + +"I cannot--I cannot," rejoined Leonard; "and unfortunately you have said +too much for your own safety. I must, though most reluctantly, detain +you." + +"Hear me, Leonard, and consider well what you do," cried Grant, planting +himself before the door. "I love you next to my daughter, and chiefly +because she loves you. I have told you I have a design to discover, to +which I am a party--a hellish, horrible design--which threatens this +whole city with destruction. It is your duty, having told you thus much, +to arrest me, and I will offer no resistance. Will you not turn this to +your advantage? Will you not make a bargain with the king?" + +"I have said I will not," rejoined Leonard. + +"Then be warned by me," rejoined Grant. "Arouse your partner. Pack up +all your goods and make preparations for instant flight, for the danger +will invade you before you are aware of it." + +"Is it fire?" demanded Leonard, upon whose mind the denunciations of +Solomon Eagle now rushed. + +"You will see," replied Grant, with a terrible laugh. "You will repent +your determination when it is too late. Farewell." + +"Hold!" cried Leonard, advancing towards him, and trying to lay hands +upon him, "I arrest you in the king's name." + +"Off!" exclaimed Grant, dashing him forcibly backwards. And striking +down Blaize, who tried to stop him in the passage, he threw open the +street-door, and disappeared. Fearful of pursuit, Grant took a +circuitous route to Saint Paul's, and it was full half an hour after the +interview above related before he reached the cathedral. Just as he +passed through the small door, the clock tolled forth the hour of +midnight, and when he gained the mid aisle, he heard footsteps +approaching, and encountered his friends. + +"We had given you up," said Chowles, "and fearing you intended us some +treachery, were about to do the job without you." + +"I have been unavoidably detained," replied Grant. "Let us about it at +once." + +"I have got the fire-balls with me," observed Hubert. + +"It is well," returned Grant. + +Quitting the cathedral, they proceeded to Thames-street, and tracking it +to Fish-street-hill, struck off on the right into an alley that brought +them to Pudding-lane. + +"This is the house," said Chowles, halting before a two-storied wooden +habitation, over the door of which was suspended the sign of the "Wheat +Sheaf, with the name THOMAS FARRYNER, BAKER, inscribed beneath it. + +"And here," said Hubert, "shall begin the great fire of London." + +As he said this, he gave a fire-ball to Solomon Eagle, who lighted the +fuze at Chowles's lantern. The enthusiast then approached a window of +the baker's shop, and breaking a small pane of glass within it, threw +the fire-ball into the room. It alighted upon a heap of chips and fagots +lying near a large stack of wood used for the oven, and in a few minutes +the whole pile had caught and burst into a flame, which, quickly +mounting to the ceiling, set fire to the old, dry, half-decayed timber +that composed it. + + + + +II. THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE FIRE. + +Having seen the stack of wood kindled, and the flames attack the +building in such a manner as to leave no doubt they would destroy it, +the incendiaries separated, previously agreeing to meet together in half +an hour at the foot of London Bridge; and while the others started off +in different directions, Chowles and Judith retreated to a neighbouring +alley commanding a view of the burning habitation. + +"At last the great design is executed," observed Chowles, rubbing his +hands gleefully. "The fire burns right merrily, and will not soon be +extinguished. Who would have thought we should have found such famous +assistants as the two madmen, Solomon Eagle and Robert Hubert--and your +scarcely less mad foster-brother, Philip Grant? I can understand the +motives that influenced the two first to the deed, but not those of the +other." + +"Nor I," replied Judith, "unless he wishes in some way or other to +benefit Leonard Holt by it. For my part, I shall enjoy this fire quite +as much on its own account as for the plunder it will bring us. I should +like to see every house in this great city destroyed." + +"You are in a fair way of obtaining your wish," replied Chowles; "but +provided I have the sacking of them, I don't care how many are saved. +Not but that such a fire will be a grand sight, which I should be sorry +to miss. You forget, too, that if Saint Paul's should be burnt down, we +shall lose our hoards. However, there's no chance of that." + +"Not much," replied Judith, interrupting him. "But see! the baker has at +last discovered that his dwelling is on fire. He bursts open the window, +and, as I live, is about to throw himself out of it." + +As she spoke, one of the upper windows in the burning habitation was +burst open, and a poor terrified wretch appeared at it in his +night-dress, vociferating in tones of the wildest alarm, "Fire! +fire!--help! help!" + +"Shall we go forward?" said Chowles. Judith hesitated for a moment, and +then assenting, they hurried towards the spot. + +"Can we give you any help, friend?" cried Chowles. + +"Take care of this," rejoined the baker, flinging a bag of money to the +ground, "and I will endeavour to let down my wife and children. The +staircase is on fire, and we are almost stifled with smoke. God help +us!" And the exclamation was followed by fearful shrieks from within, +followed by the appearance of a woman, holding two little children in +her arms, at the window. + +"This must be money," said Judith, utterly heedless of the fearful scene +occurring above, and taking up the bag and chinking it; "silver, by the +sound. Shall we make off with it?" + +"No, no," replied Chowles, "we must not run any risk for such a paltry +booty. Let us bide our time." + +At this juncture, the baker, who had disappeared for a few seconds from +the window, again presented himself at it, and, with some difficulty, +forced a feather bed through it, which was instantly placed by Chowles +in such a position beneath, as to break the fall of the descending +parties. Tying a couple of sheets together, and fastening one end round +his wife's waist, the baker lowered her and the children to the ground. +They alighted in safety; but just as he was about to follow their +example, the floor of the room gave way, and though he succeeded in +springing through the window, he missed the feather bed, and broke his +leg in the fall. He was picked up by Chowles and Judith, and placed upon +the bed in a state of insensibility, and was soon afterwards conveyed +with his family to the house of a neighbour. + +Meanwhile, the fire had spread to the houses on either side of the +unfortunate man's habitation, and both of them being built entirely of +wood, they were almost instantly in flames. The alarm too had become +general; the inhabitants of the adjoining houses were filled with +indescribable terror, and the narrow street was speedily crowded with +persons of both sexes, who had rushed from their beds to ascertain the +extent of the danger. All was terror and confusion. The fire-bells of +Saint Margaret's, Saint George's, and Saint Andrew's, in Botolph-lane, +began to toll, and shouts were heard on every side, proving that the +whole neighbourhood was roused. + +To add to the general distress, a report was raised that a house in +Fish-street-hill was on fire, and it was soon found to be true, as an +immense volume of flames burst forth in that quarter. While the rest of +the spectators, distracted by this calamity, and hardly knowing what to +do, hurried in the direction of the new fire, Chowles and Judith eyed +each other askance, and the former whispered to his companion, "This is +another piece of Hubert's handiwork." + +The two wretches now thought it time to bestir themselves. So much +confusion prevailed, that they were wholly unobserved, and under the +plea of rendering assistance, they entered houses and carried off +whatever excited their cupidity, or was sufficiently portable. No +wealthy house had been attacked as yet, and therefore their spoil was +but trifling. The poor baker seemed to be the bearer of ill-luck, for he +had not been many minutes in his new asylum before it likewise caught +fire. Another house, too, in Fish-street-hill, and lower down than the +first, was observed to be burning, and as this was out of the current of +the wind, and consequently could not have been occasioned by the showers +of sparks that marked its course, a cry was instantly raised that +incendiaries were abroad, and several suspicious-looking persons were +seized in consequence. + +Meantime no efforts had been made to stop the progress of the original +conflagration in Pudding-lane, which continued to rage with the greatest +fury, spreading from house to house with astonishing rapidity. All the +buildings in this neighbourhood being old, and of wood, which was as dry +as tinder, a spark alighting upon them would have sufficed to set them +on fire. It may be conceived, therefore, what must have been the effect +of a vast volume of flame, fanned by a powerful wind. House after house +caught, as if constructed of touchwood, and the fire roared and raged to +such a degree, that those who stood by were too much terrified to render +any effectual assistance. Indeed, the sole thought that now seemed to +influence all was the preservation of a portion of their property. No +one regarded his neighbour, or the safety of the city. The narrow street +was instantly filled with goods and furniture of all kinds, thrown out +of the windows or pushed out of the doors; but such was the fierceness +of the fire, and the extraordinary rapidity with which it advanced, that +the very articles attempted to be saved were seized by it, and thus +formed a means of conveying it to the opposite houses. + +In this way a number of persons were inclosed for a short time between +two fires, and seemed in imminent danger of being burned to death. The +perilous nature of their situation was, moreover, increased by a sudden +and violent gust of wind, which, blowing the flames right across the +street, seemed to envelop all within them. The shrieks that burst from +the poor creatures thus involved were most appalling. Fortunately, they +sustained no greater damage than was occasioned by the fright and a +slight scorching, for the next moment the wind shifted, and, sweeping +back the flames, they were enabled to effect their retreat. Chowles and +Judith were among the sufferers, and in the alarm of the moment lost all +the booty they had obtained. + +Soon after this the whole street was on fire. All idea of preserving +their property was therefore abandoned by the inhabitants, and they +thought only of saving themselves. Hundreds of half-naked persons of +both sexes rushed towards Thames-street in search of a place of refuge. +The scene was wholly without parallel for terror. Many fires had +occurred in London, but none that raged with such fierceness as the +present conflagration, or promised to be so generally destructive. It +gathered strength and fury each moment, now rising high into the air in +a towering sheet of flame, now shooting forward like an enormous dragon +vomiting streams of fire upon its foes. All at once the flames changed +colour, and were partially obscured by a thick black smoke. A large +warehouse filled with resin, tar, and other combustible matters, had +caught fire, and the dense vapour proceeded from the burning pitch. But +it cleared off in a few minutes, and the flames burnt more brightly and +fiercely than ever. + +Up to this time, none of the civic authorities having arrived, several +persons set off to give information of the calamity to the lord mayor +(Sir Thomas Bludworth), and the other magistrates. A small party of the +watch were on the spot, but they were unable to render any effectual +assistance. As the conflagration advanced, those occupying houses in its +track quitted them, and left their goods a prey to the numerous +plunderers, who were now gathered together pursuing their vocation like +unhallowed beings amid the raging element. The whole presented a scene +of the wildest alarm, confusion, and license. Vociferations, oaths, +shrieks, and outcries of every description stunned the ear. Night was +turned into day. The awful roaring of the flames was ever and anon +broken by the thundering fall of some heavy roof. Flakes of fire were +scattered far and wide by the driving wind, carrying destruction +wherever they alighted, and spreading the conflagration on all sides, +till it seemed like a vast wedge of fire driven into the heart of the +city. And thus it went on, swallowing up all before it, like an +insatiate monster, and roaring for very joy. + +Meanwhile, the incendiaries had met, as concerted, near the foot of the +bridge, and all except Philip Grant seemed to rejoice in the progress of +the conflagration. Chowles made some comment upon his moody looks and +silence, and whispered in his ear, "You have now an opportunity of +retrieving your fortune, and may make yourself richer than your son. +Take my advice, and do not let it pass." + +"Away, tempter!" cried Grant--"I have lighted a fire within my breast +which never will be quenched." + +"Poh, poh!" rejoined Judith; "do not turn faint-hearted now." + +"The fire rages fiercely," cried Solomon Eagle, gazing at the vast sheet +of flame overtopping the buildings near them, "but we must keep it +alive. Take the remainder of the fire-balls, Hubert, and cast them into +some of the old houses in Crooked-lane." + +Hubert prepared to obey. "I will go with you, and point out the best +spots," said Chowles. "Our next place of rendezvous must be the vaults +beneath Saint Faith's." + +"Agreed!" exclaimed the others. And they again separated, Hubert and +Chowles to kindle fresh fires, and Grant to watch the conflagration at a +distance. As to Solomon Eagle, he rushed towards the scene of +destruction, and forcing himself into the midst of the crowd, mounted a +post, crying in a loud voice: + +"I told you a second judgment would come upon you on account of your +iniquities, and you now find that I avouched the truth. The Lord himself +hath come to preach to you, as he did in the fiery mount of Sinai, and a +terrible exhortation it shall be, and one ye shall not easily forget. +This fire shall not be quenched till the whole city is laid prostrate. +Ye doubted my words when I told you of the plague; ye laughed at me and +scoffed me; but ye became believers in the end, and now conviction is +forced upon you a second time. You will vainly attempt to save your +dwellings. It is the Lord's will they should be destroyed, and man's +efforts to avert the judgment will be ineffectual!" + +While the majority listened to him with fear and trembling, and regarded +him as a prophet, a few took the opposite view of the question, and +coupling his appearance with the sudden outbreak of the fire, were +disposed to regard him as an incendiary. They therefore cried out--"He +has set fire to our houses. Down with him! down with him!" + +Other voices joined in the outcry, and an attempt was made to carry the +menace into effect; but a strong party rallied round the enthusiast, who +derided the attempts of his opponents. Planting himself on the steps of +Saint Margaret's Church, he continued to pour forth exhortations to the +crowd, until he was driven into the interior of the pile by the +fast-approaching flames. The whole body of the church was filled with +poor wretches who had sought refuge within it, having brought with them +such of their goods as they were able to carry off. But it soon became +evident that the sacred structure would be destroyed, and their screams +and cries on quitting it were truly heartrending. Solomon Eagle was the +last to go forth, and he delayed his departure till the flames burst +through the windows. Another great storehouse of oil, tar, cordage, +hemp, flax, and other highly inflammable articles, adjoining the church, +had caught fire, and the flames speedily reached the sacred fabric. The +glass within the windows was shivered; the stone bars split asunder; and +the seats and other woodwork withinside catching fire, the flames +ascended to the roof, and kindled its massive rafters. + +Great efforts were now made to check the fire. A few of the cumbrous and +unmanageable engines of the day were brought to the spot, but no water +could be obtained. All the aqueducts, pipes, and sluices were dry, and +the Thames water-tower was found to be out of order, and the pipes +connected with it empty. To add to the calamity, the tide was out, and +it was not only difficult, but dangerous, to obtain water from the +river. The scanty supply served rather to increase than check the +flames. All sorts of rumours prevailed among the crowd. It could no +longer be doubted that the fire, which kept continually breaking out in +fresh places, was the work of incendiaries, and it was now supposed that +it must have been caused by the French or the Dutch, with both of which +nations the country was then at war, and the most fearful anticipations +that it was only the prelude of a sudden invasion were entertained. Some +conjectured it might be the work of the Papists; and it chancing that a +professor of that religion was discovered among the mob, he was with +difficulty rescued from their fury by the watch, and conveyed to +Newgate. Other persons, who were likewise suspected of being +incendiaries, were conveyed with him. + +This, though it satisfied the multitude, did not check the progress of +the fire, nor put a stop to the terror and tumult that prevailed. Every +moment a fresh family were turned into the street, and by their cries +added to the confusion. The plunderers had formed themselves into bands, +pillaging everything they could lay hands on--carrying off boxes, goods, +and coffers, breaking into cellars, broaching casks of spirits and ale, +and emptying flasks of wine. Hundreds of persons who did not join in the +pillage made free with the contents of the cellars, and a large portion +of the concourse was soon in a state of intoxication. + +Thus, wild laughter and exclamations of frenzied mirth were heard amid +the wailings of women and the piteous cries of children. It was indeed +dreadful to see the old and bed-ridden forced into the street to seek a +home where they could; nor yet less dreadful to behold others roused +from a bed of sickness at dead of night, and by such a fearful summons. +Still, fanned by the wind, and fed by a thousand combustible matters, +the fire pressed fearfully on, devouring all before it, and increasing +in fury and power each instant; while the drunken mob laughed, roared, +shouted, and rejoiced beside it, as if in emulation of the raging +flames. + +To proceed for a moment to Wood Street. When Philip Grant quitted +Leonard in the manner before related, the latter followed him to the +door, and saw him disappear in the gloom. But he did not attempt +pursuit, because he could not persuade himself that any danger was +really to be apprehended. He thought it, however, advisable to consult +with Mr. Bloundel on the subject, and accordingly proceeded to his room +and roused him. + +After hearing what had occurred, the grocer looked very grave, and said, +"I am not disposed to treat this matter so lightly as you do, Leonard. I +fear this unhappy man has some desperate design in view. What it is I +cannot--dare not--conjecture. But I confess I am full of apprehension. I +shall not retire to rest to-night, but shall hold myself in readiness to +act in whatever way may be necessary, You had better go forth, and if +anything occurs, give notice to the proper authorities. We have not now +such a lord mayor as we had during the season of the plague. The firm +and courageous Sir John Lawrence is but ill succeeded by the weak and +vacillating Sir Thomas Bludworth. Still, the latter may be equal to this +emergency, and if anything happens, you must apply to him." + +"I will follow your advice implicitly," rejoined Leonard. "At the same +time, I think there is nothing to apprehend." + +"It is better to err on the safe side," observed the grocer; "you cannot +then reproach yourself with want of caution." + +Shortly after this, Leonard sallied forth, and having determined what +course to pursue in the first instance, proceeded to Saint Paul's. He +found every door in the sacred structure fast closed. Not satisfied with +this, he knocked at the great northern entrance till the summons was +answered by a verger, and stating his object, demanded to be admitted, +and to search the cathedral, as well as Saint Faith's. The verger +offered no objection, and having examined the old building throughout, +without discovering any traces of the person he was in quest of, Leonard +quitted it. + +More than ever convinced that he was right in his supposition, and that +no danger was to be apprehended, he was about to return home, when the +idea occurred to him that he might perhaps find Grant at the plague-pit +in Finsbury Fields, and he accordingly shaped his course thither. A long +period had elapsed since he had last visited the melancholy spot, and it +was not without much painful emotion that he drew near the vast mound +covering the victims of the pestilence. But Grant was not there, and +though he paced round and round the dreary inclosure for some time, no +one came. He then proceeded to the lesser plague-pit, and kneeling +beside the grave of Amabel, bedewed it with his tears. + +As he arose, with the intention of returning to Wood Street, he observed +an extraordinary light in the sky a little to the left, evidently +produced by the reflection of a great fire in that direction. On +beholding this light, he said to himself, "Mr. Bloundel was right. This +is the danger with which the city is threatened. It is now too late to +avert it." Determined, however, to ascertain the extent of the calamity +without an instant's loss of time, he set off at a swift pace, and in +less than half an hour reached Fish Street Hill, and stood beside the +conflagration. It was then nearly three o'clock, and a vast chasm of +blackening ruins proclaimed the devastation that had been committed. +Just as he arrived, the roof of Saint Margaret's fell in with a +tremendous crash, and for a few minutes the fire was subdued. It then +arose with greater fury than ever; burst out on both sides of the sacred +structure, and caught the line of houses leading towards London Bridge. +The first house was that of a vintner; and the lower part of the +premises--the cellars and vaults--were filled with wine and spirits. +These instantly blazed up, and burnt with such intensity that the +adjoining habitation was presently in flames. + +"I know who hath done all this!" exclaimed Leonard, half involuntarily, +as he gazed on the work of destruction. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed a bystander, gazing at him. "Who is it?--the +Dutchman or the Frenchman?" + +"Neither," replied Leonard, who at that moment discovered Grant among +the group opposite him. "Yonder stands the incendiary!" + + + + +III. PROGRESS OF THE FIRE. + +Instantly surrounded and seized by the mob, Grant offered no resistance, +but demanded to be led with his accuser before a magistrate. Almost as +the words were uttered, a cry was raised that the lord mayor and the +sheriffs were coming along East-cheap, and the prisoner and Leonard were +immediately hurried off in that direction. They met the civic +authorities at the corner of Saint Clement's-lane; but instead of paying +any attention to them, the lord mayor, who appeared to be in a state of +great agitation and excitement, ordered the javelin-men, by whom he was +attended, to push the mob aside. + +"I will not delay your worship an instant," cried Leonard; "but this +dreadful fire is the work of incendiaries, of whom that man," pointing +to Grant, "is the principal. I pray your worship to question him. He may +have important revelations to make." + +"Eh, what?" cried the lord mayor, addressing Grant. "Is it true you are +an incendiary? Who are your accomplices? Where are they?" + +"I have none," replied Grant, boldly--"I deny the charge altogether. Let +my accuser prove it if he can." + +"You hear what he says, young man," said the mayor. "Did you see him set +fire to any house? Did you find any fire-balls on his person?" + +"I did not," replied Leonard. + +"I searched him, your worship," cried Chowles, who was among the +bystanders, "the moment he was seized, and found nothing upon him. It is +a false and malicious charge." + +"It looks like it, I must say," replied the mayor. "On what grounds do +you accuse him?" he added, angrily, to Leonard. + +"On these," replied Leonard. "He came to me three hours ago, and +confessed that he had a desperate design against the safety of the city, +and made certain proposals to me, to which I would not listen. This is +not the season for a full explanation of the matter. But I pray your +worship, as you value the welfare of the city, to have him secured." + +"There can be no harm in that," replied the lord mayor. "His appearance +is decidedly against him. Let him be taken care of till the morrow, when +I will examine further into the matter. Your name and place of abode, +young man?" + +"I am called Leonard Holt, and my business is that of a grocer, in +Wood-street," was the reply. + +"Enough," rejoined the mayor. "Take away the prisoner. I will hear +nothing further now. Lord! Lord! how the fire rages, to be sure. We +shall have the whole city burnt down, if we do not take care." + +"That we shall, indeed," replied Sir Robert Viner, one of the sheriffs, +"unless the most prompt and decisive measures are immediately adopted." + +"What would you recommend?" cried the lord mayor, despairingly. Sir +Robert looked perplexed by the question. + +"If I might offer an opinion," interposed Leonard, "I would advise your +worship to pull down all the houses in the way of the fire, as the only +means of checking it." + +"Pull down the houses!" cried the lord mayor. "Who ever heard of such an +idea? Why, that would be worse than the fire. No, no; that will never +do." + +"The young man is in the right," observed Sir Joseph Sheldon, the other +sheriff. + +"Well, well--we shall see," replied the mayor. "But we are losing time +here. Forward! forward!" + +And while Grant was borne off to Newgate by a guard of javelin-men, the +lord mayor and his company proceeded to Fish-street-hill, where the +whole conflagration burst upon them. The moment the lord mayor appeared, +he was beset on all sides by hundreds of families soliciting his +protection. Others came to give him the alarming intelligence that a +very scanty supply of water only could be obtained, and that already two +engines had been destroyed, while the firemen who worked them had +narrowly escaped with life. Others again pressed him for instructions +how to act--some suggesting one plan--some another,--and being of a weak +and irresolute character, and utterly unequal to a fearful emergency +like the present, he was completely bewildered. Bidding the houseless +families take refuge in the churches, he ordered certain officers to +attend them, and affecting to doubt the statement of those who affirmed +there was no water, advised them to go to the river, where they would +find plenty. In vain they assured him the tide was out, the Thames +water-tower empty, the pipes and conduits dry. He would not believe +anything of the sort, but upbraiding his informants with neglect, bade +them try again. As to instructions, he could give none. + +At last, a reluctant assent being wrung from him by Sir Joseph Sheldon, +that a house should be pulled down, as suggested by Leonard, +preparations were instantly made for putting the design into execution. +The house selected was about four doors from the top of +Fish-street-hill, and belonged to a birdcage-maker. But they encountered +an unexpected opposition. Having ascertained their purpose, the owner +fastened his doors, and refused to admit them. He harangued the mob from +one of the upper windows, and producing a pistol, threatened to fire +upon them if they attempted to gain a forcible entrance. The officers, +however, having received their orders, were not to be intimidated, and +commenced breaking down the door. The birdcage-maker then fired, but +without effect; and before he had time to reload, the door had yielded +to the combined efforts of the multitude, who were greatly enraged at +his strange conduct. They rushed upstairs, but finding he had locked +himself in the room, left him there, supposing him secure, and commenced +the work of demolition. More than a hundred men were engaged in the +task; but though they used the utmost exertion, they had little more +than unroofed the building, when a cry was raised by those in the +street that the house was on fire. Alarmed by the shout, they descended, +and found the report true. Flames were issuing from the room lately +occupied by the birdcage-maker. The wretch had set fire to his dwelling, +and then made his escape with his family by a back staircase. Thus +defeated, the workmen, with bitter imprecations on the fugitive, +withdrew, and Leonard, who had lent his best assistance to the task, +repaired to the lord mayor. He found him in greater consternation than +ever. + +"We must go further off, if we would do any good," said Leonard; "and as +the present plan is evidently too slow, we must have recourse to +gunpowder." + +"Gunpowder!" exclaimed the lord mayor. "Would you blow up the city, like +a second Guy Fawkes? I begin to suspect you are one of the incendiaries +yourself, young man. Lord, Lord! what will become of us?" + +"If your worship disapproves of my suggestion, at least give orders what +is to be done," rejoined Leonard. + +"I have done all I can," replied the mayor. "Who are you that talk to me +thus?" + +"I have told your worship I am a simple tradesman," replied Leonard. +"But I have the welfare of the city at heart, and I cannot stand by and +see it burnt to the ground without an effort to save it." + +"Well, well, I dare say you mean very well, young man," rejoined the +lord mayor, somewhat pacified. "But don't you perceive it's impossible +to stop such a fire as this without water, or engines. I'm sure I would +willingly lay down my life to preserve the city. But what can I +do?--what can any man do?" + +"Much may be done if there is resolution to attempt it," returned +Leonard. "I would recommend your worship to proceed, in the first place, +to the wharves on the banks of the Thames, and cause the removal of the +wood, coal, and other combustible matter with which they are crowded." + +"Well thought of," cried the lord mayor. "I will go thither at once. Do +you stay here. Your advice will be useful. I will examine you touching +the incendiary to-morrow--that is, if we are any of us left alive, which +I don't expect. Lord, Lord! what will become of us?" And with many +similar ejaculations, he hurried off with the sheriffs, and the greater +part of his attendants, and taking his way down Saint Michael's-lane, +soon reached the river-side. + +By this time, the fire had approached the summit of Fish-street-hill, +and here the overhanging stories of the houses coming so close together +as almost to meet at the top, the flames speedily caught the other side, +and spread the conflagration in that direction. Two other houses were +likewise discovered to be on fire in Crooked-lane, and in an incredibly +short space the whole dense mass of habitations lying at the west side +of Fish-street-hill, and between Crooked-lane and Eastcheap, were in +flames, and threatening the venerable church of Saint Michael, which +stood in the midst of them, with instant destruction. To the +astonishment of all who witnessed it, the conflagration seemed to +proceed as rapidly against the wind, as with it, and to be approaching +Thames-street, both by Pudding-lane and Saint Michael's-lane. A large +stable, filled with straw and hay, at the back of the Star Inn, in +Little Eastcheap, caught fire, and carrying the conflagration eastward, +had already conveyed it as far as Botolph-lane. + +It chanced that a poor Catholic priest, travelling from Douay to +England, had landed that night, and taken up his quarters at the hotel +above mentioned. The landlord, who had been roused by the cries of fire, +and alarmed by the rumours of incendiaries, immediately called to mind +his guest, and dragging him from his room, thrust him, half-naked, into +the street. Announcing his conviction that the poor priest was an +incendiary to the mob without, they seized him, and in spite of his +protestations and explanations, which, being uttered in a foreign +tongue, they could not comprehend, they were about to exercise summary +punishment upon him, by hanging him to the sign-post before the +landlord's door, when they were diverted from their dreadful purpose by +Solomon Eagle, who prevailed upon them to carry him to Newgate. + +The conflagration had now assumed so terrific a character that it +appalled even the stoutest spectator. It has been mentioned, that for +many weeks previous to the direful calamity, the weather had been +remarkably dry and warm, a circumstance which had prepared the old +wooden houses, abounding in this part of the city, for almost +instantaneous ignition. Added to this, if the incendiaries themselves +had deposited combustible materials at certain spots to extend the +conflagration, they could not have selected better places than accident +had arranged. All sorts of inflammable goods were contained in the shops +and ware-houses,--oil, hemp, flax, pitch, tar, cordage, sugar, wine, and +spirits; and when any magazine of this sort caught fire, it spread the +conflagration with tenfold rapidity. + +The heat of the flames had now become almost insufferable, and the +sparks and flakes of fire fell so fast and thick, that the spectators +were compelled to retreat to a considerable distance from the burning +buildings. The noise occasioned by the cracking of the timbers, and the +falling of walls and roofs, was awful in the extreme. All the avenues +and thoroughfares near the fire were now choked up by carts, coaches, +and other vehicles, which had been hastily brought thither to remove the +goods of the inhabitants, and the hurry of the poor people to save a +wreck of their property, and the attempts made by the gangs of +plunderers to deprive them of it, constituted a scene of unparalleled +tumult and confusion. As yet, no troops had appeared to maintain order, +and seeing that as much mischief was almost done by the plunderers as by +the fire, Leonard determined to go in search of the lord mayor, and +acquaint him with the mischief that was occurring. Having heard that the +fire had already reached London Bridge, he resolved to ascertain whether +the report was true. As he proceeded down Saint Michael's-lane, he found +the venerable church from which it was designated on fire, and with some +difficulty forcing his way through the crowd, reached Thames-street, +where he discovered that the conflagration had even made more fearful +progress than he had anticipated. Fishmongers' Hall, a large square +structure, was on fire, and burning swiftly,--the flames encircling its +high roof, and the turret by which it was surmounted. Streams of fire, +too, had darted down the numerous narrow alleys leading to the +river-side, and reaching the wharves, had kindled the heaps of wood and +coal with which they were filled. The party under the command of the +lord mayor had used their utmost exertions to get rid of these +combustible materials by flinging them into the Thames; but they came +too late, and were driven away by the approach of the fire. Most of the +barges and heavy craft were aground, and they, too, caught fire, and +were burned, with their contents. + +Finding he could neither render any assistance, nor obtain speech with +the lord mayor, and anxious to behold the terrible yet sublime spectacle +from the river, Leonard hastened to Old Swan-Stairs, and springing into +a boat, ordered the waterman to row into the middle of the Thames. He +could then discern the full extent of the conflagration, and trace the +progress it was making. All the houses between Fishmongers' Hall and the +bridge were on fire, and behind them rose a vast sheet of flame. Saint +Magnus' Church, at the foot of the bridge, was next seized by the flame, +and Leonard watched its destruction. An ancient gateway followed, and +soon afterwards a large stack of houses erected upon the bridge burst +into flames. + +The inhabitants of the houses on the bridge, having now become +thoroughly alarmed, flung bedding, boxes, and articles of furniture, out +of their windows into the river. A crowd of boats surrounded the +starlings, and the terrified occupants of the structures above +descending to them by the staircases in the interior of the piers, +embarked with every article they could carry off. The river presented a +most extraordinary scene. Lighted by the red and fierce reflection of +the fire, and covered with boats, filled with families who had just +quitted their habitations either on the bridge or in some other street +adjoining it, its whole surface was speckled with pieces of furniture, +or goods, that had been cast into it, and which were now floating up +with the tide. Great crowds were collected on the Southwark shore to +watch the conflagration, while on the opposite side the wharves and +quays were thronged with persons removing their goods, and embarking +them in boats. One circumstance, noted by Pepys, and which also struck +Leonard, was the singular attachment displayed by the pigeons, kept by +the owners of several houses on the bridge, to the spots they had been +accustomed to. Even when the flames attacked the buildings to which the +dovecots were attached, the birds wheeled round and round them, until, +their pinions being scorched by the fire, they dropped into the water. + +Leonard remained on the river nearly two hours. He could not, in fact, +tear himself away from the spectacle, which possessed a strange +fascination in his eyes. He began to think that all the efforts of men +were unavailing to arrest the progress of destruction, and he was for +awhile content to regard it as a mere spectacle. And never had he beheld +a more impressive--a more terrible sight. There lay the vast and +populous city before him, which he had once before known to be invaded +by an invisible but extirminating foe, now attacked by a furious and +far-seen enemy. The fire seemed to form a vast arch--many-coloured as a +rainbow,--reflected in the sky, and re-reflected in all its horrible +splendour in the river. + +Nor was the aspect of the city less striking. The innumerable towers and +spires of the churches rose tall and dark through the wavering sheet of +flame, and every now and then one of them would topple down or +disappear, as if swallowed up by the devouring element. For a short +space, the fire seemed to observe a regular progressive movement, but +when it fell upon better material, it reared its blazing crest aloft, +changed its hues, and burnt with redoubled intensity. Leonard watched it +thread narrow alleys, and firing every lesser habitation in its course, +kindle some great hall or other structure, whose remoteness seemed to +secure it from immediate danger. At this distance, the roaring of the +flames resembled that of a thousand furnaces. Ever and anon, it was +broken by a sound like thunder, occasioned by the fall of some mighty +edifice. Then there would come a quick succession of reports like the +discharge of artillery, followed by a shower of fiery flakes and sparks +blown aloft, like the explosion of some stupendous firework. Mixed with +the roaring of the flames, the thunder of falling roofs, the cracking of +timber, was a wild hubbub of human voices, that sounded afar off like a +dismal wail. In spite of its terror, the appearance of the fire was at +that time beautiful beyond description. Its varying colours--its +fanciful forms--now shooting out in a hundred different directions, like +lightning-flashes,--now drawing itself up, as it were, and soaring +aloft,--now splitting into a million tongues of flame,--these aspects so +riveted the attention of Leonard, that he almost forgot in the sight the +dreadful devastation going forward. His eyes ached with gazing at the +fiery spectacle, and he was glad to rest them on the black masses of +building that stood in stern relief against it, and which there could be +little doubt would soon become its prey. + +It was now broad daylight, except for the mighty cloud of smoke, which +o'er-canopied the city, creating an artificial gloom. Leonard's troubled +gaze wandered from the scene of destruction to Saint Paul's--an edifice, +which; from the many events connected with his fortunes that had +occurred there, had always a singular interest in his eyes. Calling to +mind the denunciations poured forth by Solomon Eagle against this fane, +he could not help fearing they would now be fulfilled. What added to his +misgivings was, that it was now almost entirely surrounded by poles and +scaffolding. Ever since the cessation of the plague, the repairs, +suspended during that awful season, had been recommenced under the +superintendence of Doctor Christopher Wren, and were now proceeding with +renewed activity. The whole of the building was under repair, and a vast +number of masons were employed upon it, and it was their scaffolding +that impressed Leonard with a dread of what afterwards actually +occurred. Accustomed to connect the figure of Solomon Eagle with the +sacred structure, he could not help fancying that he discovered a speck +resembling a human figure on the central tower. If it were the +enthusiast, what must his feelings be at finding his predictions so +fatally fulfilled? Little did Leonard think how the prophecy had been +accomplished! + +But his attention was speedily called to the progress of the +conflagration. From the increased tumult in the city, it was evident the +inhabitants were now thoroughly roused, and actively bestirring +themselves to save their property. This was apparent, even on the river, +from the multitude of boats deeply laden with goods of all kinds, which +were now seen shaping their course towards Westminster. The fire, also, +had made rapid progress on all sides. The vast pile of habitations at +the north side of the bridge was now entirely in flames. The effect of +this was awfully fine. Not only did the flames mount to a greater +height, and appear singularly conspicuous from the situation of the +houses, but every instant some blazing fragment fell with a tremendous +splash into the water, where it hissed for a moment, and then was for +ever quenched, floating a black mass upon the surface. From the foot of +the bridge to Coal Harbour Stairs, extended what Dryden finely calls "a +quay of fire." All the wharves and warehouses were in flames, and +burning with astonishing rapidity, while this part of Thames-street, +"the lodge of all combustibles," had likewise become a prey to the +devouring element. The fire, too, had spread in an easterly direction, +and consuming three churches, namely, Saint Andrew's, in Botolph-lane, +Saint Mary's, in Love-lane, and Saint Dunstan's in the East, had invaded +Tower-street, and seemed fast approaching the ancient fortress. So +fascinated was Leonard with the sight, that he could have been well +content to remain all day gazing at it, but he now recollected that he +had other duties to perform, and directing the waterman to land him at +Queenhithe, ascended Bread-street-hill, and betook himself to +Wood-street. + + + + +IV. LEONARD'S INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. + +Some rumours of the conflagration, as will be supposed, had ere this +reached Mr. Bloundel, but he had no idea of the extent of the direful +calamity, and when informed of it by Leonard, lifted up his hands +despairingly, exclaiming, in accents of the deepest affliction--"Another +judgment, then, has fallen upon this sinful city,--another judgment yet +more terrible than the first. Man may have kindled this great fire, but +the hand of God is apparent in it. 'Alas! alas! for thee, thou great +city, Babylon! Alas for thee, thou mighty city! for in one hour is thy +judgment come. The kings of the earth shall bewail thee, and lament for +thee, when they see the smoke of thy burning.'" + +"Your dwelling was spared in the last visitation, sir," observed +Leonard, after a pause, "and you were able to shut yourself up, as in a +strong castle, against the all-exterminating foe. But I fear you will +not be able to ward off the assaults of the present enemy, and recommend +you to remove your family and goods without delay to some place of +security far from this doomed city." + +"This is the Lord's Day, Leonard, and must be kept holy," replied the +grocer. "To-morrow, if I am spared so long, I will endeavour to find +some place of shelter." + +"If the conflagration continues to spread as rapidly as it is now doing, +to-morrow will be too late," rejoined Leonard. + +"It may be so," returned the grocer, "but I will not violate the +Sabbath. If the safety of my family is threatened, that is another +matter, but I will not attempt to preserve my goods. Do not, however, +let me influence you. Take such portion of our stock as belongs to you, +and you know that a third of the whole is yours, and convey it where you +please." + +"On no account, sir," interrupted Leonard. "I should never think of +acting in opposition to your wishes. This will be a sad Sunday for +London." + +"The saddest she has ever seen," replied the grocer; "for though the +voice of prayer was silenced in her churches during the awful season of +the plague, yet then men's minds had been gradually prepared for the +calamity, and though filled with terror, they were not taken by +surprise, as must now be the case. But let us to prayers, and may our +earnest supplications avail in turning aside the Divine displeasure." + +And summoning his family and household, all of whom were by this time +stirring, and in the utmost consternation at what they had heard of the +fire, he commenced a prayer adapted to the occasion in a strain of the +utmost fervour; and as Leonard gazed at his austere countenance, now +lighted up with holy zeal, and listened to his earnest intercessions in +behalf of the devoted city, he was reminded of the prophet Jeremiah +weeping for Jerusalem before the throne of grace. + +Prayers over, the whole party sat down to their morning repast, after +which, the grocer and his eldest son, accompanied by Leonard and Blaize, +mounted to the roof of the house, and gazing in the direction of the +conflagration, they could plainly distinguish the vast cloud of yellow +smoke commingled with flame that marked the scene of its ravages. As the +wind blew from this quarter, charged, as has been stated, with a cloud +of sparks, many of the fire-drops were dashed in their faces, and +compelled them to shade their eyes. The same awful roar which Leonard +had heard on the river likewise broke upon their ears, while from all +the adjoining streets arose a wild clamour of human voices, the burden +of whose cries was "Fire! Fire!" The church bells, which should have +been tolling to early devotion, were now loudly ringing the alarm, while +their towers were crowded, as were the roofs of most of the houses, with +persons gazing towards the scene of devastation. Nothing could be more +opposite to the stillness and quiet of a Sabbath morn; and as the grocer +listened to the noise and tumult prevailing around him, he could not +repress a groan. + +"I never thought my ears would be so much offended on this day," he +said. "Let us go down. I have seen and heard enough." + +They then descended, and Stephen Bloundel, who was greatly alarmed by +what he had just witnessed, strongly urged his father to remove +immediately. "There are seasons," said the young man, "when even our +duty to Heaven becomes a secondary consideration; and I should be sorry +if the fruit of your industry were sacrificed to your religious +scruples." + +"There are no such seasons," replied the grocer, severely; "and I am +grieved that a son of mine should think so. If the inhabitants of this +sinful city had not broken the Sabbath, and neglected God's +commandments, this heavy judgment would not have fallen upon them. I +shall neglect no precaution for the personal safety of my family, but I +place my worldly goods in the hands of Him from whom I derived them, and +to whom I am ready to restore them, whenever it shall please Him to take +them." + +"I am rebuked, father," replied Stephen, humbly; "and entreat your +pardon for having ventured to differ with you. I am now fully sensible +of the propriety of your conduct." + +"And I have ever acquiesced in your wishes, be they what they may," said +Mrs. Bloundel to her husband; "but I confess I am dreadfully frightened. +I hope you will remove the first thing to-morrow." + +"When midnight has struck, and the Sabbath is past, I shall commence my +preparations," replied the grocer. "You must rest content till then." +Mrs. Bloundel heaved a sigh, but said no more; and the grocer, retiring +to a side-table, opened the Bible, and sat down calmly to its perusal. +But though no further remonstrances reached his ears, there was great +murmuring in the kitchen on the part of Blaize and Patience. + +"Goodness knows what will become of us!" cried the latter. "I expect we +shall all be burnt alive, owing to our master's obstinacy. What harm can +there be in moving on a Sunday, I should like to know? I'm sure I'm too +much hurried and flurried to say my prayers as I ought to do." + +"And so am I," replied Blaize. "Mr. Bloundel is a great deal too +particular. What a dreadful thing it would be if the house should be +burnt down, and all my mother's savings, which were to form a provision +for our marriage, lost." + +"That would be terrible, indeed," cried Patience, with a look of dismay. +"I think the wedding had better take place as soon as the fire is over. +It can't last many days if it goes on at this rate." + +"You are right," returned Blaize. "I have no objection. I'll speak to my +mother at once." And stepping into the scullery, where old Josyna was +washing some dishes, he addressed her--"Mother, I'm sadly afraid this +great fire will reach us before our master will allow us to move. Hadn't +you better let me take care of the money you intended giving me on my +marriage with Patience?" + +"No, no, myn goed zoon," replied Josyna, shaking her head--"I musd zee +you married virsd." + +"But I can't be married to-day," cried Blaize--"and there's no time to +lose. The fire will be upon us directly." + +"I cand help dat," returned his mother. "We musd place our drusd in +God." + +"There I quite agree with you, mother," replied Blaize; "but we must +also take care of ourselves. If you won't give me the money, at least +put it in a box to carry off at a moment's notice." + +"Don't be afraid, myn zoon," replied Josyna. "I wond forged id." + +"I'm sadly afraid you will, though," muttered Blaize, as he walked away. +"There's no doing any good with her," he added to Patience. "She's as +obstinate as Mr. Bloundel. I should like to see the fire of all things; +but I suppose I musn't leave the house." + +"Of course not," replied Patience, pettishly; "at such a time it would +be highly improper. I forbid that." + +"Then I must need submit," groaned Blaize--"I can't even have my own way +before marriage." + +When the proper time arrived, the grocer, accompanied by all his family +and household, except old Josyna, who was left in charge of the house, +repaired to the neighbouring church of Saint Alban's, but, finding the +doors closed, and that no service was to be performed, he returned home +with a sorrowful heart. Soon after this, Leonard took Mr. Bloundel +apart, and observed to him, "I have a strong conviction that I could be +useful in arresting the progress of the conflagration, and, as I cannot +attend church service, I will, with your permission, devote myself to +that object. It is my intention to proceed to Whitehall, and, if +possible, obtain an audience of the king, and if I succeed in doing so, +to lay a plan before him, which I think would prove efficacious." + +"I will not ask what the plan is," rejoined the grocer, "because I doubt +its success. Neither will I oppose your design, which is praiseworthy. +Go, and may it prosper. Return in the evening, for I may need your +assistance--perhaps protection." + +Leonard then prepared to set forth. Blaize begged hard to accompany him, +but was refused. Forcing his way through the host of carts, coaches, +drays, and other vehicles thronging the streets, Leonard made the best +of his way to Whitehall, where he speedily arrived. A large body of +mounted troopers were stationed before the gates of the palace, and a +regiment of the foot-guards were drawn up in the court. Drums were +beating to arms, and other martial sounds were heard, showing the alarm +that was felt. Leonard was stopped at the gate by a sentinel, and +refused admittance; and he would in all probability have been turned +back, if at that moment the Lords Argentine and Rochester had not come +up. On seeing him, the former frowned, and passed quickly on, but the +latter halted. + +"You seem to be in some difficulty," remarked Rochester. "Can I help +you?" + +Leonard was about to turn away, but he checked himself. + +"I will not suffer my resentful feelings to operate injuriously to +others," he muttered. "I desire to see the king, my lord," he added, to +the earl. "I have a proposal to make to him, which I think would be a +means of checking the conflagration." + +"Say you so?" cried Rochester. "Come along, then. Heaven grant your plan +may prove successful; in which case, I promise you, you shall be nobly +rewarded." + +"I seek no reward, my lord," replied Leonard. "All I desire is to save +the city." + +"Well, well," rejoined Rochester, "it will be time enough to refuse his +majesty's bounty when offered." + +Upon this, he ordered the sentinel to withdraw, and Leonard followed him +into the palace. They found the entrance-hall filled with groups of +officers and attendants, all conversing together, it was evident from +their looks and manner, on the one engrossing topic--the conflagration. +Ascending a magnificent staircase, and traversing part of a grand +gallery, they entered an ante-room, in which a number of courtiers and +pages--amongst the latter of whom was Chiffinch--were assembled. At the +door of the inner chamber stood a couple of ushers, and as the earl +approached, it was instantly thrown open. As Leonard, however, who +followed close behind his leader, passed Chiffinch, the latter caught +hold of his arm and detained him. Hearing the movement, Rochester +turned, and said quickly to the page, "Let him pass, he is going with +me." + +"Old Rowley is in no humour for a jest to-day, my lord," replied +Chiffinch, familiarly. "He is more serious than I have ever before seen +him, and takes this terrible fire sadly to heart, as well he may. Mr. +Secretary Pepys, of the Admiralty, is with him, and is detailing all +particulars of the calamity to him, I believe." + +"It is in reference to the fire that I have brought this young man with +me," returned the earl. "Let him pass, I say. State your plan boldly," +he added, as they entered the audience-chamber. + +At the further end of the long apartment, on a chair of state, and +beneath a canopy, sat Charles. He was evidently much disturbed, and +looked eagerly at the new-comers, especially at Leonard, expecting to +find him the bearer of some important intelligence. On the right of the +king, and near an open window, which, looking towards the river, +commanded a view of the fire on the bridge, as well as of part of the +burning city, stood the Duke of York. The duke did not appear much +concerned at the calamity, but was laughing with Lord Argentine, who +stood close beside him. The smile fled from the lips of the latter as he +beheld Leonard, and he looked angrily at Rochester, who did not, +however, appear to notice his displeasure. On the left of the royal +chair was Mr. Pepys, engaged, as Chiffinch had intimated, in detailing +to the king the progress of the conflagration; and next to the secretary +stood the Earl of Craven,--a handsome, commanding, and martial-looking +personage, though somewhat stricken in years. Three other noblemen-- +namely, the Lords Hollis, Arlington, and Ashley--were likewise present. + +"Who have you with you, Rochester?" demanded Charles, as the earl and +his companion approached him. + +"A young man, my liege, who desires to make known to you a plan for +checking this conflagration," replied the earl. + +"Ah!" exclaimed the king; "let him accomplish that for us, and he shall +ask what he will in return." + +"I ventured to promise him as much," observed Rochester. + +"Mine is a very simple and a very obvious plan, sire," said Leonard; +"but I will engage, on the peril of my life, if you will give me +sufficient authority, and means to work withal, to stop the further +progress of this fire." + +"In what way?" asked Charles, impatiently;--"in what way?" + +"By demolishing the houses around the conflagration with gunpowder, so +as to form a wide gap between those left and the flames," replied +Leonard. + +"A short and summary process, truly," replied the king; "but it would +occasion great waste of property, and might be attended with other +serious consequences." + +"Not half so much property will be destroyed as if the slower and +seemingly safer course of pulling down the houses is pursued," rejoined +Leonard. "That experiment has been tried and failed." + +"I am of the young man's opinion," observed the Earl of Craven. + +"And I," added Pepys. "Better lose half the city than the whole. As it +is, your majesty is not safe in your palace." + +"Why, you do not think it can reach Whitehall?" cried the king, rising, +and walking to the window. "How say you, brother," he added, to the Duke +of York--"shall we act upon this young man's suggestion, and order the +wholesale demolition of the houses which he recommends?" + +"I would not advise your majesty to do so--at least, not without +consideration," answered the duke. "This is a terrible fire, no doubt; +but the danger may be greatly exaggerated, and if any ill consequences +should result from the proposed scheme, the blame will be entirely laid +upon your majesty." + +"I care not for that," replied the king, "provided I feel assured it is +for the best." + +"The plan would do incalculably more mischief than the fire itself," +observed Lord Argentine, "and would be met by the most determined +opposition on the part of the owners of the habitations condemned to +destruction. Whole streets will have to be blown up, and your majesty +will easily comprehend the confusion and damage that will ensue." + +"Lord Argentine has expressed my sentiments exactly," said the Duke of +York. + +"There is nothing for it, then, but for your majesty to call for a +fiddle, and amuse yourself, like Nero, while your city is burning," +remarked Rochester, sarcastically. + +"Another such jest, my lord," rejoined the king, sternly, "and it shall +cost you your liberty. I will go upon the river instantly, and view the +fire myself, and then decide what course shall be adopted." + +"There are rumours that incendiaries are abroad, your majesty," remarked +Argentine, glancing maliciously at Leonard--"it is not unlikely that he +who lighted the fire should know how to extinguish it." + +"His lordship says truly," rejoined Leonard. "There _are_ incendiaries +abroad, and the chief of them was taken by my hand, and lodged in +Newgate, where he lies for examination." + +"Ah!" exclaimed the king, eagerly; "did you catch the miscreant in the +fact?" + +"No, my liege," replied Leonard; "but he came to me a few hours before +the outbreak of the fire, intimating that he was in possession of a plot +against the city--a design so monstrous, that your majesty would give +any reward to the discloser of it. He proposed to reveal this plot to me +on certain terms." + +"And you accepted them?" cried the king. + +"No, my liege," replied Leonard; "I refused them, and would have secured +him, but he escaped me at that time. I afterwards discovered him among +the spectators near the fire, and caused his arrest." + +"And who is this villain?" cried the king. + +"I must refer your majesty to Lord Argentine," replied Leonard. + +"Do you know anything of the transaction, my lord?" said Charles, +appealing to him. + +"Not I, your majesty," said Argentine, vainly endeavouring to conceal +his anger and confusion. "The knave has spoken falsely." + +"He shall rue it, if he has done so," rejoined the monarch. "What has +the man you speak of to do with Lord Argentine?" he added to Leonard. + +"He is his father," was the reply. + +Charles looked at Lord Argentine, and became convinced from the altered +expression of his countenance that the truth had been spoken. He, +therefore, arose, and motioning him to follow him, led him into the +recess of a window, where they remained in conversation for some +minutes. While this was passing, the Earl of Rochester observed, in an +undertone to Leonard, "You have made a mortal foe of Lord Argentine, but +I will protect you." + +"I require no other protection than I can afford myself, my lord," +rejoined Leonard, coldly. + +Shortly after this, Charles stepped forward with a graver aspect than +before, and said, "Before proceeding to view this conflagration, I must +give some directions in reference to it. To you, my Lord Craven, whose +intrepidity I well know, I intrust the most important post. You will +station yourself at the east of the conflagration, and if you find it +making its way to the Tower, as I hear is the case, check it at all +hazards. The old fortress must be preserved at any risk. But do not +resort to gunpowder unless you receive an order from me accompanied by +my signet-ring. My Lords Hollis and Ashley, you will have the care of +the north-west of the city. Station yourselves near Newgate Market. +Rochester and Arlington, your posts will be at Saint Paul's. Watch over +the august cathedral. I would not have it injured for half my kingdom. +Brother," he added to the Duke of York, "you will accompany me in my +barge--and you, Mr. Pepys. You, young man," to Leonard, "can follow in +my train." + +"Has your majesty no post for me?" asked Argentine. + +"No," replied Charles, turning coldly from him. + +"Had not your majesty better let him have the custody of your gaol of +Newgate?" remarked Rochester, sarcastically; "he has an interest in its +safe keeping." + +Lord Argentine turned deadly pale, but he made no answer. Attended by +the Duke of York and Mr. Pepys, and followed at a respectful distance by +Leonard, the king then passed through the ante-room, and descending the +grand staircase, traversed a variety of passages, until he reached the +private stairs communicating with the river. At the foot lay the royal +barge, in which he embarked with his train. Charles appeared greatly +moved by the sight of the thousands of his houseless subjects, whom he +encountered in his passage down the Thames, and whenever a feeble shout +was raised for him, he returned it with a blessing. When nearly opposite +Queenhithe, he commanded the rowers to pause. The conflagration had made +formidable progress since Leonard' beheld it a few hours back, and had +advanced, nearly as far as the Still-yard on the river-side, while it +was burning upwards through thick ranks of houses, almost as far as +Cannon-street. The roaring of the flames was louder than ever--and the +crash of falling habitations, and the tumult and cries of the affrighted +populace, yet more terrific. + +Charles gazed at the appalling spectacle like one who could not believe +his senses, and it was some time before the overwhelming truth could +force itself upon him. Tears then started to his eyes, and, uttering an +ejaculation of despair, he commanded the rowers to make instantly for +the shore. + + + + +V. HOW LEONARD SAVED THE KING'S LIFE. + +The royal barge landed at Queenhithe, and Charles instantly +disembarking, proceeded on foot, and at a pace that compelled, his +attendants to move quickly, to keep up with him, to Thames-street. Here, +however, the confusion was so great, owing to the rush of people, and +the number of vehicles employed in the removal of goods, that he was +obliged to come to a halt. Fortunately, at this moment, a company of the +train-bands rode up, and their leader dismounting, offered his horse to +the king, who instantly sprang into the saddle, and scarcely waiting +till the Duke of York could be similarly accommodated, forced his way +through the crowd as far as Brewer-lane, where his progress was stopped +by the intense heat. A little more than a hundred yards from this point, +the whole street was on fire, and the flames bursting from the windows +and roofs of the houses, with a roar like that which might be supposed +to be produced by the forges of the Cyclops, united in a vast blazing +arch overhead. It chanced, too, that in some places cellars filled with +combustible materials extended under the street, and here the ground +would crack, and jets of fire shoot forth like the eruption of a +volcano. The walls and timbers of the houses at some distance from the +conflagration were scorched and blistered with the heat, and completely +prepared for ignition; overhead being a vast and momentarily increasing +cloud of flame-coloured smoke, which spread all over the city, filling +it as with a thick mist, while the glowing vault above looked, as Evelyn +expresses it, "like the top of a burning oven." + +Two churches, namely, Allhallows the Great and Allhallows the Less, were +burnt down in the king's sight, and the lofty spire of a third, Saint +Lawrence Poulteney, had just caught fire, and looked like a flame-tipped +spear. After contemplating this spectacle for some time, Charles roused +himself from the state of stupefaction into which he was thrown, and +determined, if possible, to arrest the further progress of the devouring +element along the river-side, commanded all the houses on the west of +Dowgate Dock to be instantly demolished. A large body of men were +therefore set upon this difficult and dangerous, and, as it proved, +futile task. Another party were ordered to the same duty on +Dowgate-hill; and the crash of tumbling walls and beams was soon added +to the general uproar, while clouds of dust darkened the air. It was +with some difficulty that a sufficient space could be kept clear for +carrying these operations into effect; and long before they were +half-completed, Charles had the mortification of finding the fire +gaining ground so rapidly, that they must prove ineffectual. Word was +brought at this juncture that a fresh fire had broken out in Elbow-lane, +and while the monarch was listening to this dreary intelligence, a +fearful cry was heard near the river, followed, the next moment, by a +tumultuous rush of persons from that quarter. The fire, as if in scorn, +had leapt across Dowgate Dock, and seizing upon the half-demolished +houses, instantly made them its prey. The rapidity with which the +conflagration proceeded was astounding, and completely baffled all +attempts to check it. The wind continued blowing as furiously as ever, +nor was there the slightest prospect of its abatement. All the king's +better qualities were called into play by the present terrible crisis. +With a courage and devotion that he seldom displayed, he exposed himself +to the greatest risk, personally assisting at all the operations he +commanded; while his humane attention to the sufferers by the calamity +almost reconciled them to their deplorable situation. His movements were +almost as rapid as those of the fire itself. Riding up Cannon-street, +and from thence by Sweeting's-lane, to Lombard-street, and so on by +Fenchurch-street to Tower-street, he issued directions all the way, +checking every disturbance, and causing a band of depredators, who had +broken into the house of a wealthy goldsmith, to be carried off to +Newgate. Arrived in Tower-street, he found the Earl of Craven and his +party stationed a little beyond Saint Dunstan's in the East. + +All immediate apprehensions in this quarter appeared at an end. The +church had been destroyed, as before mentioned, but several houses in +its vicinity having been demolished, the fire had not extended eastward. +Satisfied that the Tower was in no immediate danger, the king retraced +his course, and encountering the lord mayor in Lombard-street, sharply +reproved him for his want of zeal and discretion. + +"I do not deserve your majesty's reproaches," replied the lord mayor. +"Ever since the fire broke out I have not rested an instant, and am +almost worn to death with anxiety and fatigue. I am just returned from +Guildhall, where a vast quantity of plate belonging to the city +companies has been deposited. Lord! Lord! what a fire this is!" + +"You are chiefly to blame for its getting so much ahead," replied the +king, angrily. "Had you adopted vigorous measures at the outset, it +might have easily been got under. I hear no water was to be obtained. +How was that?" + +"It is a damnable plot, your majesty, designed by the Papists, or the +Dutch, or the French--I don't know which--perhaps all three," rejoined +the lord mayor; "and it appears that the cocks of all the pipes at the +waterworks at Islington were turned, while the pipes and conduits in the +city were empty. This is no accidental fire, your majesty." + +"So I find," replied the king; "but it will be time enough to inquire +into its origin hereafter. Meantime, we must act, and energetically, or +we shall be equally as much to blame as the incendiaries. Let a +proclamation be made, enjoining all those persons who have been driven +from their homes by the fire to proceed, with such effects as they have +preserved, to Moorfields, where their wants shall be cared for." + +"It shall be made instantly, your majesty," replied the lord mayor. + +"Your next business will be to see to the removal of all the wealth from +the goldsmiths' houses in this street, and in Gracechurch-street, to +some places of security, Guildhall, or the Royal Exchange, for +instance," continued the king. + +"Your majesty's directions shall be implicitly obeyed," replied the lord +mayor. + +"You will then pull down all the houses to the east of the fire," +pursued the king. "Get all the men you can muster; and never relax your +exertions till you have made a wide and clear breach between the flames +and their prey." + +"I will--I will, your majesty," groaned the lord mayor. + +"About it, then," rejoined the king; and striking spurs into his horse, +he rode off with his train. + +He now penetrated one of the narrow alleys leading to the Three Cranes +in the Vintry, where he ascended to the roof of the habitation, that he +might view the fire. He saw that it was making such rapid advances +towards him, that it must very soon reach the building on which he +stood, and, half suffocated with the smoke, and scorched with the +fire-drops, he descended. + +Not long after this, Waterman's Hall was discovered to be on fire; and, +stirred by the sight, Charles made fresh efforts to check the progress +of the conflagration by demolishing more houses. So eagerly did he +occupy himself in the task, that his life had well-nigh fallen a +sacrifice to his zeal. He was standing below a building which the +workmen were unroofing, when all at once the whole of the upper part of +the wall gave way, dragging several heavy beams with it, and would have +infallibly crushed him, if Leonard, who was stationed behind him, had +not noticed the circumstance, and rushing forward with the greatest +promptitude, dragged him out of harm's way. An engineer, with whom the +king was conversing at the time of the accident, was buried in the +ruins, and when taken out was found fearfully mutilated and quite dead. +Both Charles and his preserver were covered with dust and rubbish, and +Leonard received a severe blow on the shoulder from a falling brick. + +On recovering from the shock, which for some moments deprived him of the +power of speech, Charles inquired for his deliverer, and, on being shown +him, said, with a look of surprise and pleasure, "What, is it you, young +man? I am glad of it. Depend, upon it, I shall not forget the important +service you have rendered me." + +"If he remembers it, it will be the first time he has ever so exercised +his memory," observed Chiffinch, in a loud whisper to Leonard. "I advise +you, as a friend, not to let his gratitude cool." + +Undeterred by this late narrow escape, Charles ordered fresh houses to +be demolished, and stimulated the workmen to exertion by his personal +superintendence of their operations. He commanded Leonard to keep +constantly near him, laughingly observing, "I shall feel safe while you +are by. You have a better eye for a falling house than any of my +attendants." + +Worn out at length with fatigue, Charles proceeded, with the Duke of +York and his immediate attendants, to Painters' Hall, in little +Trinity-lane, in quest of refreshment, where a repast was hastily +prepared for him, and he sat down to it with an appetite such as the +most magnificent banquet could not, under other circumstances, have +provoked. His hunger satisfied, he despatched messengers to command the +immediate attendance of the lord mayor, the sheriffs, and aldermen; and +when they arrived, he thus addressed them:--"My lord mayor and +gentlemen, it has been recommended to me by this young man," pointing to +Leonard, "that the sole way of checking the further progress of this +disastrous conflagration, which threatens the total destruction of our +city, will be by blowing up the houses with gunpowder, so as to form a +wide gap between the flames and the habitations yet remaining unseized. +This plan will necessarily involve great destruction of property, and +may, notwithstanding all the care that can be adopted, be attended with +some loss of life; but I conceive it will be effectual. Before ordering +it, however, to be put into execution, I desire to learn your opinion of +it. How say you, my lord mayor and gentlemen? Does the plan meet with +your approbation?" + +"I pray your majesty to allow me to confer for a moment with my +brethren," replied the lord mayor, cautiously, "before I return an +answer. It is too serious a matter to decide upon at once." + +"Be it so," replied the king. + +And the civic authorities withdrew with the king. Leonard heard, though +he did not dare to remark upon it, that the Duke of York leaned forward +as the lord mayor passed him, and whispered in his ear, "Take heed what +you do. He only desires to shift the responsibility of the act from his +own shoulders to yours." + +"If they assent," said the king to Leonard, "I will place you at the +head of a party of engineers." + +"I beseech your majesty neither to regard me nor them," replied Leonard. +"Use the authority it has pleased Heaven to bestow upon you for the +preservation of the city, and think and act for yourself, or you will +assuredly regret your want of decision. It has been my fortune, with the +assistance of God, to be the humble instrument of accomplishing your +majesty's deliverance from peril, and I have your royal word that you +will not forget it." + +"Nor will I," cried the king, hastily. + +"Then suffer the petition I now make to you to prevail," cried Leonard, +falling on his knees. "Be not influenced by the opinion of the lord +mayor and his brethren, whose own interests may lead them to oppose the +plan; but, if you think well of it, instantly adopt it." + +Charles looked irresolute, but might have yielded, if the Duke of York +had not stepped forward. "Your majesty had better not act too +precipitately," said the duke. "Listen to the counsels of your prudent +advisers. A false step in such a case will be irretrievable." + +"Nay, brother," rejoined the king, "I see no particular risk in it, +after all, and I incline towards the young man's opinion." + +"At least, hear what they have got to say," rejoined the duke. "And here +they come. They have not been long in deliberation." + +"The result of it may be easily predicted," said Leonard, rising. + +As Leonard had foreseen, the civic authorities were adverse to the plan. +The lord mayor in the name of himself and his brethren, earnestly +solicited the king to postpone the execution of his order till all other +means of checking the progress of the conflagration had been tried, and +till such time, at least, as the property of the owners of the houses to +be destroyed could be removed. He further added, that it was the +unanimous opinion of himself and his brethren, that the plan was fraught +with great peril to the safety of the citizens, and that they could not +bring themselves to assent to it. If, therefore, his majesty chose to +adopt it, they must leave the responsibility with him. + +"I told your majesty how it would be," observed the Duke of York, +triumphantly. + +"I am sorry to find you are right, brother," replied the king, frowning. +"We are overruled, you see, friend," he added to Leonard. + +"Your majesty has signed the doom of your city," rejoined Leonard, +mournfully. + +"I trust not--I trust not," replied Charles, hastily, and with an uneasy +shrug of the shoulder. "Fail not to remind me when all is over of the +obligation I am under to you." + +"Your majesty has refused the sole boon I desired to have granted," +rejoined Leonard. + +"And do you not see the reason, friend?" returned the king. "These +worthy and wealthy citizens desire to remove their property. Their +arguments are unanswerable. I _must_ give them time to do it. But we +waste time here," he added, rising. "Remember," to Leonard, "my debt is +not discharged. And I command you, on pain of my sovereign displeasure, +not to omit to claim its payment." + +"I will enter it in my memorandum-book, and will put your majesty in +mind of it at the fitting season," observed Chiffinch, who had taken a +great fancy to Leonard. + +The king smiled good-humouredly, and quitting the hall with his +attendants, proceeded to superintend the further demolition of houses. +He next visited all the posts, saw that the different noblemen were at +their appointed stations, and by his unremitting exertions, contrived to +restore something like order to the tumultuous streets. Thousands of men +were now employed in different quarters in pulling down houses, and the +most powerful engines of war were employed in the work. The confusion +that attended these proceedings is indescribable. The engineers and +workmen wrought in clouds of dust and smoke, and the crash of falling +timber and walls was deafening. In a short time, the upper part of +Cornhill was rendered wholly impassable, owing to the heaps of rubbish; +and directions were given to the engineers to proceed to the Poultry, +and demolish the houses as far as the Conduit in Cheapside, by which +means it was hoped that the Royal Exchange would be saved. + +Meanwhile, all the wealthy goldsmiths and merchants in Lombard-street +and Gracechurch-street had been actively employed in removing all their +money, plate, and goods, to places of security. A vast quantity was +conveyed to Guildhall, as has been stated, and the rest to different +churches and halls remote from the scene of conflagration. But in spite +of all their caution, much property was carried off by the depredators, +and amongst others by Chowles and Judith, who contrived to secure a mass +of plate, gold, and jewels, that satisfied even their rapacious souls. +While this was passing in the heart of the burning city, vast crowds +were streaming out of its gates, and encamping themselves, in pursuance +of the royal injunction, in Finsbury Fields and Spitalfields. Others +crossed the water to Southwark, and took refuge in Saint George's +Fields; and it was a sad and touching sight to see all these families +collected without shelter or food, most of whom a few hours before were +in possession of all the comforts of life, but were now reduced to the +condition of beggars. + +To return to the conflagration:--While one party continued to labour +incessantly at the work of demolition, and ineffectually sought to +quench the flames, by bringing a few engines to play upon them,--a +scanty supply of water having now been obtained--the fire, disdaining +such puny opposition, and determined to show its giant strength, leaped +over all the breaches, drove the water-carriers back, compelled them to +relinquish their buckets, and to abandon their engines, which it made +its prey, and seizing upon the heaps of timber and other fragments +occasioned by the demolition, consumed them, and marched onwards with +furious exultation. It was now proceeding up Gracechurch-street, Saint +Clement's-lane, Nicholas-lane, and Abchurch-lane at the same time, +destroying all in its course. The whole of Lombard-street was choked up +with the ruins and rubbish of demolished houses, through which thousands +of persons were toiling to carry off goods, either for the purpose of +assistance or of plunder. The king was at the west end of the street, +near the church of Saint Mary Woolnoth, and the fearful havoc and +destruction going forward drew tears from his eyes. A scene of greater +confusion cannot be imagined. Leonard was in the midst of it, and, +careless of his own safety, toiled amid the tumbling fragments of the +houses to rescue some article of value for its unfortunate owner. While +he was thus employed, he observed a man leap out of a window of a partly +demolished house, disclosing in the action that he had a casket +concealed under his cloak. + +A second glance showed him that this individual was Pillichody, and +satisfied that he had been plundering the house, he instantly seized +him. The bully struggled violently, but at last, dropping the casket, +made his escape, vowing to be revenged. Leonard laughed at his threats, +and the next moment had the satisfaction of restoring the casket to its +rightful owner, an old merchant, who issued from the house, and who, +after thanking him, told him it contained jewels of immense value. + +Not half an hour after this, the flames poured upon Lombard-street from +the four avenues before mentioned, and the whole neighbourhood was on +fire. With inconceivable rapidity, they then ran up Birchin-lane, and +reaching Cornhill, spread to the right and left in that great +thoroughfare. The conflagration had now reached the highest point of the +city, and presented the grandest and most terrific aspect it had yet +assumed from the river. Thus viewed, it appeared, as Pepys describes it, +"as an entire arch of fire from the Three Cranes to the other side of +the bridge, and in a bow up the hill, for an arch of above a mile long: +_it made me weep to see it_." Vincent also likens its appearance at this +juncture to that of a bow. "A dreadful bow it was," writes this eloquent +nonconformist preacher, "such as mine eyes have never before seen; a bow +which had God's arrow in it with a flaming point; a shining bow, not +like that in the cloud which brings water with it, and withal signifieth +God's covenant not to destroy the world any more with water, but a bow +having fire in it, and signifying God's anger, and his intention to +destroy London with fire." + +As the day drew to a close, and it became darker, the spectacle +increased in terror and sublimity. The tall black towers of the churches +assumed ghastly forms, and to some eyes appeared like infernal spirits +plunging in a lake of flame, while even to the most reckless the +conflagration seemed to present a picture of the terrors of the Last +Day. Never before had such a night as that which ensued fallen upon +London. None of its inhabitants thought of retiring to rest, or if they +sought repose after the excessive fatigue they had undergone, it was +only in such manner as would best enable them to rise and renew their +exertions to check the flames, which were continued throughout the +night, but wholly without success. The conflagration appeared to proceed +at the same appalling rapidity. Halls, towers, churches, public and +private buildings, were burning to the number of more than ten thousand, +while clouds of smoke covered the vast expanse of more than fifty miles. +Travellers approaching London from the north-east were enveloped in it +ten miles off, and the fiery reflection in the sky could be discerned at +an equal distance. The "hideous storm," as Evelyn terms the fearful and +astounding noise produced by the roaring of the flames and the falling +of the numerous fabrics, continued without intermission during the whole +of that fatal night. + + + + +VI. HOW THE GROCER'S HOUSE WAS BURNT. + +It was full ten o'clock before Leonard could obtain permission to quit +the king's party, and he immediately hurried to Wood-street. He had +scarcely entered it, when the cry of "fire" smote his ears, and rushing +forward in an agony of apprehension, he beheld Mr. Bloundel's dwelling +in flames. A large crowd was collected before the burning habitation, +keeping guard over a vast heap of goods and furniture that had been +removed from it. + +So much beloved was Mr. Bloundel, and in such high estimation was his +character held, that all his neighbours, on learning that his house was +on fire, flew to his assistance, and bestirred themselves so actively, +that in an extraordinary short space of time they had emptied the house +of every article of value, and placed it out of danger in the street. In +vain the grocer urged them to desist: his entreaties were disregarded by +his zealous friends; and when he told them they were profaning the +Sabbath, they replied that the responsibility of their conduct would +rest entirely on themselves, and they hoped they might never have +anything worse to answer for. In spite of his disapproval of what was +done, the grocer could not but be sensibly touched by their devotion, +and as to his wife, she said, with tears in her eyes, that "it was +almost worth while having a fire to prove what good friends they had." + +It was at this juncture that Leonard arrived. Way was instantly made for +him, and leaping over the piles of chests and goods that blocked up the +thoroughfare, he flew to Mr. Bloundel, who was standing in front of his +flaming habitation with as calm and unmoved an expression of countenance +as if nothing was happening, and presently ascertained from him in what +manner the fire had originated. It appeared that while the whole of the +family were assembled at prayers, in the room ordinarily used for that +purpose, they were alarmed at supper by a strong smell of smoke, which +seemed to arise from the lower part of the house, and that as soon as +their devotions were ended, for Mr. Bloundel would not allow them to +stir before, Stephen and Blaize had proceeded to ascertain the cause, +and on going down to the kitchen, found a dense smoke issuing from the +adjoining cellar, the door of which stood ajar. Hearing a noise in the +yard, they darted up the back steps, communicating with the cellar, and +discovered a man trying to make his escape over the wall by a +rope-ladder. Stephen instantly seized him, and the man, drawing a sword, +tried to free himself from his captor. In the struggle, he dropped a +pistol, which Blaize snatching up, discharged with fatal effect against +the wretch, who, on examination, proved to be Pillichody. + +Efforts were made to check the fire, but in vain. The villain had +accomplished his diabolical purpose too well. Acquainted with the +premises, and with the habits of the family, he had got into the yard by +means of a rope-ladder, and hiding himself till the servants were +summoned to prayers, stole into the cellar, and placing a fire-ball amid +a heap of fagots and coals, and near several large casks of oil, and +other inflammable matters, struck a light, and set fire to it. + +"I shall ever reproach myself that I was away when this calamity +occurred," observed Leonard, as the grocer brought his relation to an +end. + +"Then you will do so without reason," replied Mr. Bloundel, "for you +could have rendered no assistance, and you see my good neighbours have +taken the matter entirely out of my hands." + +"Whither do you intend removing, sir?" rejoined Leonard. "If I might +suggest, I would advise you to go to Farmer Wingfield's, at Kensal +Green." + +"You have anticipated my intention," replied the grocer; "but we must +now obtain some vehicles to transport these goods thither." + +"Be that my part," replied Leonard. And in a short space of time he had +procured half a dozen large carts, into which the whole of the goods +were speedily packed, and a coach having been likewise fetched by +Blaize, Mrs. Bloundel and the three younger children, together with old +Josyna and Patience, were placed in it. + +"I hope your mother has taken care of her money," whispered the latter +to the porter, as he assisted her into the vehicle. + +"Never mind whether she has or not," rejoined Blaize, in the same tone; +"we shan't want it. I am now as rich as my master--perhaps richer. On +stripping that rascal Pillichody, I found a large bag of gold, besides +several caskets of jewels, upon him, all of which I consider lawful +spoil, as he fell by my hand." + +"To be sure," rejoined Patience. "I dare say he did not come very +honestly by the treasures, but you can't help that, you know." + +Blaize made no reply, but pushing her into the coach, shut the door. All +being now in readiness, directions were given to the drivers of the +carts whither to proceed, and they were put in motion. At this moment +the grocer's firmness deserted him. Gazing at the old habitation, which +was now wrapped in a sheet of flame, he cried in a voice broken with +emotion, "In that house I have dwelt nearly thirty years--in that house +all my children were born--in that house I found a safe refuge from the +devouring pestilence. It is hard to quit it thus." + +Controlling his emotion, however, the next moment, he turned away. But +his feelings were destined to another trial. His neighbours flocked +round him to bid him farewell, in tones of such sympathy and regard, +that his constancy again deserted him. + +"Thank you, thank you," he cried, pressing in turn each hand that was +offered him. "Your kindness will never be effaced from my memory. God +bless you all, and may He watch over you and protect you!" and with +these words he broke from them. So great was the crowd and confusion in +Cheapside, that nearly two hours elapsed before they reached Newgate; +and, indeed, if it had not been for the interference of the Earl of +Rochester, they would not, in all probability, have got out of the city +at all. The earl was stationed near the Old 'Change, at the entrance to +Saint Paul's Churchyard, and learning their distress, ordered a party of +the guard by whom he was attended to force a passage for them. Both Mr. +Bloundel and Leonard would have declined this assistance if they had had +the power of doing so, but there was no help in the present case. + +They encountered no further difficulties, but were necessarily compelled +to proceed at a slow pace, and did not reach Paddington for nearly two +hours, being frequently stopped by persons eagerly asking as to the +progress of the fire. One circumstance struck the whole party as +remarkable. Such was the tremendous glare of the conflagration, that +even at this distance the fire seemed close beside them, and if they had +not known the contrary, they would have thought it could not be further +off than Saint Giles's. The whole eastern sky in that direction seemed +on fire, and glowed through the clouds of yellow smoke with which the +air was filled with fearful splendour. After halting for a short time at +the Wheat Sheaf, which they found open,--for, indeed, no house was +closed that night,--to obtain some refreshment, and allay the +intolerable thirst by which they were tormented, the party pursued their +journey along the Harrow-road, and in due time approached Wingfield's +residence. + +The honest farmer, who, with his wife and two of his men, was standing +in a field at the top of the hill, gazing at the conflagration, hearing +the noise occasioned by the carts, ran to the road-side to see what was +coming, and encountered Mr. Bloundel and Leonard, who had walked up the +ascent a little more quickly than the others. + +"I have been thinking of you," he said, after a cordial greeting had +passed between them, "and wondering what would become of you in this +dreadful fire. Nay, I had just told my dame I should go and look after +you, and see whether I could be of any service to you. Well, I should be +better pleased to see you in any way but this, though you could not be +welcomer. I have room in the barn and outhouses for all you have +brought, and hope and trust you have not lost much." + +"I have lost nothing except the old house," replied the grocer, heaving +a sigh. + +"Another will soon be built," rejoined Wingfield, "and till that is done +you shall not quit mine." + +The coach having by this time arrived, Wingfield hastened towards it, +and assisted its occupants to alight. Mrs. Bloundel was warmly welcomed +by Dame Wingfield, and being taken with her children to the house, was +truly happy to find herself under the shelter of its hospitable roof. +The rest of the party, assisted by Wingfield and his men, exerting +themselves to the utmost, the carts were speedily unloaded, and the +goods deposited in the barns and outhouses. This done, the drivers were +liberally rewarded for their trouble by Mr. Bloundel, and after draining +several large jugs of ale brought them by the farmer, made the best of +their way back, certain of obtaining further employment during the +night. + +Fatigued as he was, Leonard, before retiring to rest, could not help +lingering on the brow of the hill to gaze at the burning city. The same +effect was observable here as at Paddington, and the conflagration +appeared little more than a mile off. The whole heavens seemed on fire, +and a distant roar was heard like the rush of a high wind through a +mighty forest. Westminster Abbey and Saint Paul's could be distinctly +seen in black relief against the sheet of flame, together with +innumerable towers, spires, and other buildings, the whole constituting +a picture unsurpassed for terrific grandeur since the world began, and +only to be equalled by its final destruction. + +Having gazed at the conflagration for some time, and fancied that he +could even at this distance discern the fearful progress it made, +Leonard retired to the barn, and throwing himself upon a heap of straw, +instantly fell asleep. He was awakened the next morning by Farmer +Wingfield, who came to tell him breakfast was ready, and having +performed his ablutions, they adjourned to the house. Finding Mr. +Bloundel comfortably established in his new quarters, Leonard proposed +as soon as breakfast was over to proceed to town, and Wingfield +volunteered to accompany him. Blaize, also, having placed his treasures, +except a few pieces of gold, in the custody of Patience, begged to make +one of the party, and his request being acceded to, the trio set out on +foot, and gleaning fresh particulars of the fearful progress of the +fire, as they advanced, passed along Oxford-road, and crossing Holborn +Bridge, on the western side of which they were now demolishing the +houses, mounted Snow-hill, and passed through the portal of Newgate. + +Here they learnt that the whole of Wood-street was consumed, that the +fire had spread eastward as far as Gutter-lane, and that Saint Michael's +Church, adjoining Wood-street, Goldsmiths' Hall, and the church of Saint +John Zachary, were in flames. They were also told that the greater part +of Cheapside was on fire, and wholly impassable--while the destructive +element was invading at one and the same time Guildhall and the Royal +Exchange. They furthermore learnt that the conflagration had spread +fearfully along the side of the river, had passed Queenhithe, consuming +all the wharves and warehouses in its way, and having just destroyed +Paul's Wharf, was at that time assailing Baynard's Castle. This +intelligence determined them not to attempt to proceed further into the +city, which they saw was wholly impracticable; and they accordingly +turned down Ivy-lane, and approached the cathedral with the intention, +if possible, of ascending the central tower. They found a swarm of +booksellers' porters and assistants at the northern entrance, engaged in +transporting immense bales of books and paper to the vaults in Saint +Faith's, where it was supposed the stock would be in safety, permission +to that effect having been obtained from the dean and chapter. + +Forcing their way through this crowd, Leonard and his companions crossed +the transept, and proceeded towards the door of the spiral staircase +leading to the central tower. It was open, and they passed through it. +On reaching the summit of the tower, which they found occupied by some +dozen or twenty persons, a spectacle that far exceeded the utmost +stretch of their imaginations burst upon them. Through clouds of tawny +smoke scarcely distinguishable from flame, so thickly were they charged +with sparks and fire-flakes, they beheld a line of fire spreading along +Cheapside and Cornhill, as far as the Royal Exchange, which was now in +flames, and branching upwards in another line through Lawrence-lane to +Guildhall, which was likewise burning. Nearer to them, on the north, the +fire kindled by the wretched Pillichody, who only, perhaps, anticipated +the work of destruction by a few hours, had, as they had heard, +proceeded to Goldsmiths' Hall, and was rapidly advancing down Saint +Ann's-lane to Aldersgate. But it was on the right, and to the +south-east, that the conflagration assumed its most terrific aspect. +There, from Bow Church to the river-side, beyond the bridge as far as +Billingsgate, and from thence up Mincing-lane, crossing Fenchurch-street +and Lime-street to Gracechurch and Cornhill, describing a space of more +than two miles in length and one in depth, every habitation was on fire. +The appearance of this bed of flame was like an ocean of fire agitated +by a tempest, in which a number of barks were struggling, some of them +being each moment engulfed. The stunning and unearthly roar of the +flames aided this appearance, which was further heightened by the +enormous billows of flame that ever and anon rolled tumultuously onward +as they were caught by some gust of wind of more than usual violence. +The spires of the churches looked like the spars of "tall admirals," +that had foundered, while the blackening ruins of the halls and larger +buildings well represented the ribs and beams of mighty hulks. + +Leaving Leonard and his companions to the contemplation of this +tremendous spectacle, we shall proceed to take a nearer view of its +ravages. Every effort had been used to preserve the Royal Exchange by +the city authorities, and by the engineers, headed by the king in +person. All the buildings in its vicinity were demolished. But in vain. +The irresistible and unrelenting foe drove the defenders back as before, +seized upon their barricades, and used them, like a skilful besieger, +against the fortress they sought to protect. Solomon Eagle, who was +mounted upon a heap of ruins, witnessed this scene of destruction, and +uttered a laugh of exultation as the flames seized upon their prey. + +"I told you," he cried, "that the extortioners and usurers who resorted +to that building, and made gold their god, would be driven forth, and +their temple destroyed. And my words have come to pass. It burns--it +burns--and so shall they, if they turn not from their ways." + +Hearing this wild speech, and beholding the extraordinary figure of the +enthusiast, whose scorched locks and smoke-begrimed limbs gave him +almost the appearance of an infernal spirit, the king inquired, with +some trepidation, from his attendants, who or what he was, and being +informed, ordered them to seize him. But the enthusiast set their +attempts at naught. Springing with wonderful agility from fragment to +fragment of the ruins, and continuing his vociferations, he at last +plunged through the flame into the Exchange itself, rendering further +pursuit, of course, impossible, unless those who desired to capture him, +were determined to share his fate, which now seemed inevitable. To the +astonishment of all, however, he appeared a few minutes afterwards on +the roof of the blazing pile, and continued his denunciations till +driven away by the flames. He seemed, indeed, to bear a charmed life, +for it was rumoured--though the report was scarcely credited--that he +had escaped from the burning building, and made good his retreat to +Saint Paul's. Soon after this, the Exchange was one mass of flame. +Having gained an entrance to the galleries, the fire ran round them with +inconceivable swiftness, as was the case in the conflagration of this +later structure, and filling every chamber, gushed out of the windows, +and poured down upon the courts and walks below. Fearful and prodigious +was the ruin that ensued. The stone walls cracked with the intense +heat--tottered and fell--the pillars shivered and broke asunder, the +statues dropped from their niches, and were destroyed, one only +surviving the wreck--that of the illustrious founder, Sir Thomas +Gresham. + +Deploring the fate of the Royal Exchange, the king and his attendants +proceeded to Guildhall. But here they were too late, nor could they even +rescue a tithe of the plate and valuables lodged within it for security. +The effects of the fire as displayed in this structure, were singularly +grand and surprising. The greater part of the ancient fabric being +composed of oak of the hardest kind, it emitted little flame, but became +after a time red hot, and remained in this glowing state till night, +when it resembled, as an eye-witness describes, "a mighty palace of +gold, or a great building of burnished brass." + +The greatest fury of the conflagration was displayed at the Poultry, +where five distinct fires met, and united their forces--one which came +roaring down Cornhill from the Royal Exchange--a second down +Threadneedle-street--a third up Walbrook--a fourth along +Bucklersbury--and a fifth that marched against the wind up Cheapside, +all these uniting, as at a focus, a whirl of flame, an intensity of +heat, and a thundering roar were produced, such as were nowhere else +experienced. + +To return to the party on the central tower of the cathedral:--Stunned +and half stifled by the roar and smoke, Leonard and his companions +descended from their lofty post, and returned to the body of the fane. +They were about to issue forth, when Leonard, glancing down the northern +aisle, perceived the Earl of Rochester and Lord Argentine standing +together at the lower end of it. Their gestures showed that it was not +an amicable meeting, and mindful of what had passed at Whitehall, +Leonard resolved to abide the result. Presently, he saw Lord Argentine +turn sharply round, and strike his companion in the face with his glove. +The clash of swords instantly succeeded, and Leonard and Wingfield +started forward to separate the combatants. Blaize, followed, but more +cautiously, contenting himself with screaming at the top of his voice, +"Murder! murder! sacrilege! a duel! a duel!" + +Wingfield was the first to arrive at the scene of strife, but just as he +reached the combatants, who were too much blinded by passion to notice +his approach, Lord Argentine struck his adversary's weapon from his +grasp, and would have followed up the advantage if the farmer had not +withheld his arm. Enraged at the interference, Argentine turned his fury +against the newcomer, and strove to use his sword against him--but in +the terrible struggle that ensued, and at the close of which they fell +together, the weapon, as if directed by the hand of an avenging fate, +passed through his own breast, inflicting a mortal wound. + +"Susan Wingfield is avenged!" said the farmer, as he arose, drenched in +the blood of his opponent. + +"Susan Wingfield!" exclaimed the wounded man--"what was she to you?" + +"Much," replied the farmer. "She was my daughter." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Argentine, with an expression of unutterable anguish. +"Let me have your forgiveness," he groaned. + +"You have it," replied Wingfield, kneeling beside him, "and may God +pardon us both--you for the wrong you did my daughter, me for being +accidentally the cause of your death. But I trust you are not mortally +hurt?" + +"I have not many minutes to live," replied Argentine. "But is not that +Leonard Holt?" + +"It is," said Rochester, stepping forward. + +"I can then do one rightful act before I die," he said, raising himself +on one hand, and holding the other forcibly to his side, so as to stanch +in some degree the effusion of blood. "Leonard Holt," he continued, "my +sister Isabella loves you--deeply, devotedly. I have tried to conquer +the passion, but in vain. You have my consent to wed her." + +"I am a witness to your words my lord," said Rochester, "and I call upon +all present to be so likewise." + +"Rochester, you were once my friend," groaned Argentine, "and may yet be +a friend to the dead. Remember the king sells titles. Teach this young +man how to purchase one. My sister must not wed one of his degree." + +"Make yourself easy on that score," replied Rochester; "he has already +sufficient claim upon the king. He saved his life yesterday." + +"He will trust to a broken reed if he trusts to Charles's gratitude," +replied Argentine. "Buy the title--_buy_ it, I say. My sister left me +yesterday. I visited my anger on her head, and she fled. I believe she +took refuge with Doctor Hodges, but I am sure he can tell you where she +is. One thing more," continued the dying man, fixing his glazing eyes on +Leonard. "Go to Newgate--to--to a prisoner there--an incendiary--and +obtain a document of him. Tell him, with my dying breath I charged you +to do this. It will enable you to act as I have directed. Promise me you +will go. Promise me you will fulfil my injunctions." + +"I do," replied Leonard. + +"Enough," rejoined Argentine. "May you be happy with Isabella." And +removing his hand from his side, a copious effusion of blood followed, +and, sinking backwards, he expired. + + + + +VII. THE BURNING OF SAINT PAUL'S. + +Several other persons having by this time come up, the body of Lord +Argentine was conveyed to Bishop Kempe's Chapel, and left there till a +fitting season should arrive for its removal. Confounded by the tragical +event that had taken place, Leonard remained with his eyes fixed upon +the blood-stained pavement, until he was roused by an arm which gently +drew him away, while the voice of the Earl of Rochester breathed in his +ear, "This is a sad occurrence, Leonard; and yet it is most fortunate +for you, for it removes the only obstacle to your union with the Lady +Isabella. You see how fleeting life is, and how easily we may be +deprived of it. I tried to reason Lord Argentine into calmness; but +nothing would satisfy him except my blood; and there he lies, though not +by my hand. Let his fate be a lesson to us, and teach us to live in +charity with each other. I have wronged you--deeply wronged you; but I +will make all the atonement in my power, and let me think I am +forgiven." + +The blood rushed tumultuously to Leonard's heart as he listened to what +the earl said, but overcoming his feelings of aversion by a powerful +effort, he took the proffered hand. + +"I do forgive you my lord," he said. + +"Those words have removed a heavy weight from my soul," replied +Rochester; "and if death should trip up my heels as suddenly as he did +his who perished on this spot, I shall be better prepared to meet him. +And now let me advise you to repair to Newgate without delay, and see +the wretched man, and obtain the document from him. The fire will reach +the gaol ere long, and the prisoners must of necessity be removed. Amid +the confusion his escape might be easily accomplished." + +"Recollect, my lord, that the direful conflagration now prevailing +without is owing to him," replied Leonard. "I will never be accessory to +his escape." + +"And yet his death by the public executioner," urged Rochester. "Think +of its effect on his daughter." + +"Justice must take its course," rejoined Leonard. "I would not aid him +to escape if he were my own father." + +"In that case, nothing more is to be said," replied Rochester. "But at +all events, see him as quickly as you can. I would accompany you, but my +duty detains me here. When you return from your errand you will find me +at my post near the entrance of the churchyard in front of Saint +Michael's le Quern; that is, if I am not beaten from it. Having seen the +father, your next business must be to seek out the daughter, and remove +her from this dangerous neighbourhood. You have heard where she is to be +found." + +Upon this they separated, Leonard and his companions quitting the +cathedral by the great western entrance, and proceeding towards +Paul's-alley, and the earl betaking himself to the north-east corner of +the churchyard. The former got as far as Ivy-lane, but found it wholly +impassable, in consequence of the goods and furniture with which it was +blocked up. They were, therefore, obliged to return to the precincts of +the cathedral, where Blaize, who was greatly terrified by what he had +seen, expressed his determination of quitting them, and hurried back to +the sacred pile. Leonard and the farmer next essayed to get up Ave +Maria-lane; but, finding that also impassable, they made for Ludgate, +and, after a long delay and severe struggle, got through the portal. The +Old Bailey was entirely filled with persons removing their goods; and +they were here informed, to their great dismay, that the conflagration +had already reached Newgate Market, which was burning with the greatest +fury, and was at that moment seizing upon the gaol. No one, however, in +answer to Leonard's inquiries, could tell him what had become of the +prisoners. + +"I suppose they have left them to burn," observed a bystander, who heard +the question with a malicious look; "and it is the best way of getting +rid of them." Paying no attention to the remark, nor to the brutal laugh +accompanying it, Leonard, assisted by Wingfield, fought his way through +the crowd till he reached the prison. The flames were bursting through +its grated windows, and both wings, as well as the massive gate +connecting them, were on fire. Regardless of the risk he ran, Leonard +forced his way to the lodge-door, where two turnkeys were standing, +removing their goods. + +"What has become of the prisoners?" he asked. + +"The debtors are set free," replied the turnkey addressed, "and all but +one or two of the common felons are removed." + +"And where are those poor creatures?" cried Leonard, horror-stricken. + +"In the Stone Hold," replied the turnkey. + +"And have you left them to perish there?" demanded Leonard. + +"We couldn't help it," rejoined the turnkey. "It would have been risking +our lives to venture near them. One is a murderer, taken in the fact; +and the other is quite as bad, for he set the city on fire; so its right +and fair he should perish by his own contrivance." + +"Where does the Stone Hold lie?" cried Leonard, in a tone that startled +the turnkey. "I must get these prisoners out." + +"You can't, I tell you," rejoined the turnkey, doggedly. "They're burnt +to a cinder by this time." + +"Give me your keys, and show me the way to the cell," cried Leonard, +authoritatively. "I will at least attempt to save them." + +"Well, if you're determined to put an end to yourself, you may try," +replied the turnkey; "but I've warned you as to what you may expect. +This way," he added, opening a door, from which a thick volume of smoke +issued; "if any of 'em's alive, you'll soon know by the cries." And, as +if in answer to his remark, a most terrific shriek at that moment burst +on their ears. + +"Here are the keys," cried the turnkey, delivering them to Leonard. "You +are not going too?" he added, as Wingfield pushed past him. "A couple of +madmen! I shouldn't wonder if they were incendiaries." + +Directed by the cries, Leonard pressed forward through the blinding and +stifling smoke. After proceeding about twenty yards, he arrived at a +cross passage where the smoke was not quite so dense, as it found an +escape through a small grated aperture in the wall. And here a horrible +sight was presented to him. At the further extremity of this passage was +a small cell, from which the cries he had heard issued. Not far from it +the stone roof had fallen in, and from the chasm thus caused the flames +were pouring into the passage. Regardless of the risk he ran, Leonard +dashed forward, and reaching the cell, beheld Grant, still living, but +in such a dreadful state, that it was evident his sufferings must soon +be ended. His hair and beard were singed close to his head and face, and +his flesh was blistered, blackened, and scorched to the bone. On seeing +Leonard, he uttered a hoarse cry, and attempted to speak, but the words +rattled in his throat. He then staggered forward, and, to Leonard's +inexpressible horror, thrust his arms through the bars of the cage, +which were literally red-hot. Seeing he had something in one hand, +though he could not unclose his fingers, Leonard took it from him, and +the wretched man fell backwards. At this moment a loud crack was heard +in the wall behind. Several ponderous stones dropped from their places, +admitting a volume of flame that filled the whole cell, and disclosing +another body on the floor, near which lay that of Grant. Horrified by +the spectacle, Leonard staggered off, and, catching Wingfield's arm, +sought to retrace his steps. This was no easy matter, the smoke being so +dense, that they could not see a foot before them, and was obliged to +feel their way along the wall. On arriving at the cross passage, +Wingfield would fain have turned off to the right, but Leonard drew him +forcibly in the opposite direction; and most fortunate was it that he +did so, or the worthy farmer would inevitably have perished. At last +they reached the lodge, and sank down on a bench from exhaustion. + +"So, my masters," observed the turnkey, with a grim smile, "you were not +able to rescue them, I perceive?" But receiving no answer, he added, +"Well, and what did you see?" + +"A sight that would have moved even your stony heart to compassion," +returned Leonard, getting up and quitting the lodge. Followed by +Wingfield, and scarcely knowing where he was going, he forced his way +through the crowd, and dashing down Snow-hill, did not stop till he +reached Holborn Conduit, where, seizing a leathern bucket, he filled it +with water, and plunged his head into it. Refreshed by the immersion, he +now glanced at the document committed to him by Grant. It was a piece of +parchment, and showed by its shrivelled and scorched appearance the +agony which its late possessor must have endured, Leonard did not open +it, but thrust it with a shudder into his doublet. + +Meditating on the strange and terrible events that had just occurred, +Leonard's thoughts involuntarily wandered to the Lady Isabella, whose +image appeared to him like a bright star shining on troubled waters, and +for the first time venturing to indulge in a hope that she might indeed +be his, he determined immediately to proceed in search of her. + +It was now high noon, but the mid-day sun was scarcely visible, or not +visible at all; as it struggled through the masses of yellow vapour it +looked red as blood. Bands of workmen were demolishing houses on the +western side of Fleet Ditch, and casting the rubbish into the muddy +sluice before them, by which means it was confidently but vainly hoped +that the progress of the fire would be checked. Shaping their course +along the opposite side of the ditch, and crossing to Fleet Bridge, +Leonard and his companion passed through Salisbury-court to Whitefriars, +and taking a boat, directed the waterman to land them at Puddle Dock. +The river was still covered with craft of every description laden with +goods, and Baynard's Castle, an embattled stone structure of great +strength and solidity, built at the beginning of the fifteenth century +on the site of another castle as old as the Conquest, being now wrapped +in flames from foundation to turret, offered a magnificent spectacle. +From this point the four ascents leading to the cathedral, namely, +Addle-hill, Saint Bennet's-hill, Saint Peter's-hill, and Lambert-hill, +with all their throng of habitations, were burning--the black lines of +ruined walls standing in bold relief against the white sheet of flame. +Billows of fire rolled upwards every moment towards Saint Paul's, and +threatened it with destruction. + +Landing at the appointed place Leonard and his companion ascended Saint +Andrew's-hill, and, proceeding along Carter-lane, soon gained the +precincts of the cathedral. Here the whole mass of habitations on the +summit of Saint Bennet's-hill extending from the eastern, end of +Carter-lane to Distaff-lane, was on fire, and the flames were dashed by +the fierce wind against the south-east corner of the cathedral. A large +crowd was collected at this point, and great efforts were made to save +the venerable pile, but Leonard saw that its destruction was inevitable. +Forcing a way through the throng with his companion, they reached Doctor +Hodges's residence at the corner of Watling-street, and Leonard, without +waiting to knock, tried the door, which yielded to his touch. The +habitation was empty, and from the various articles scattered about it +was evident its inmates must have fled with the greatest precipitation. +Alarmed at this discovery, Leonard rushed forth with Wingfield, and +sought to ascertain from the crowd without whither Doctor Hodges was +gone, but could learn nothing more than that he had departed with his +whole household a few hours before. At last it occurred to him that he +might obtain some information from the Earl of Rochester, and he was +about to cross to the other side of the churchyard, when he was arrested +by a simultaneous cry of horror from the assemblage. Looking upwards, +for there he saw the general gaze directed, he perceived that the +scaffolding around the roof and tower of the cathedral had kindled, and +was enveloping the whole upper part of the fabric in a network of fire. +Flames were likewise bursting from the belfry, and from the lofty +pointed windows below it, flickering and playing round the hoary +buttresses, and disturbing the numerous jackdaws that built in their +timeworn crevices, and now flew screaming forth. As Leonard gazed at the +summit of the tower, be discerned through the circling eddies of smoke +that enveloped it the figure of Solomon Eagle standing on the top of the +battlements and waving his staff, and almost fancied he could hear his +voice. After remaining in this perilous situation for some minutes, as +if to raise anxiety for his safety to the highest pitch, the enthusiast +sprang upon a portion of the scaffolding that was only partly consumed, +and descended from pole to pole, regardless whether burning or not, with +marvellous swiftness, and apparently without injury. Alighting on the +roof, he speeded to the eastern extremity of the fane, and there +commenced his exhortations to the crowd below. + +It now became evident also, from the strange roaring noise proceeding +from the tower, that the flames were descending the spiral staircase, +and forcing their way through some secret doors or passages to the roof. +Determined to take one last survey of the interior of the cathedral +before its destruction, which he now saw was inevitable, Leonard +motioned to Wingfield, and forcing his way through the crowd, which was +now considerably thinned, entered the southern door. He had scarcely +gained the middle of the transept when the door opened behind him, and +two persons, whom, even in the brief glimpse he caught of them, he knew +to be Chowles and Judith, darted towards the steps leading to Saint +Faith's. They appeared to be carrying a large chest, but Leonard was too +much interested in what was occurring to pay much attention to them. +There were but few persons besides himself and his companion within the +cathedral, and these few were chiefly booksellers' porters, who were +hurrying out of Saint Faith's in the utmost trepidation. By-and-by, +these were gone, and they were alone--alone within that vast structure, +and at such a moment. Their situation, though perilous, was one that +awakened thrilling and sublime emotions. The cries of the multitude, +coupled with the roaring of the conflagration, resounded from without, +while the fierce glare of the flames lighted up the painted windows at +the head of the choir with unwonted splendour. Overhead was heard a +hollow rumbling noise like that of distant thunder, which continued for +a short time, while fluid streams of smoke crept through the mighty +rafters of the roof, and gradually filled the whole interior of the +fabric with vapour. Suddenly a tremendous cracking was heard, as if the +whole pile were tumbling in pieces. So appalling was this sound, that +Leonard and his companion would have fled, but they were completely +transfixed by terror. + +While they were in this state, the flames, which had long been burning +in secret, burst through the roof at the other end of the choir, and +instantaneously spread over its whole expanse. At this juncture, a cry +of wild exultation was heard in the great northern gallery, and looking +up, Leonard beheld Solomon Eagle, hurrying with lightning swiftness +around it, and shouting in tones of exultation, "My words have come to +pass--it burns--it burns--and will be utterly consumed!" + +The vociferations of the enthusiast were answered by a piercing cry from +below, proceeding from Blaize, who at that moment rushed from the +entrance of Saint Faith's. On seeing the porter, Leonard shouted to him, +and the poor fellow hurried towards him. At this juncture, a strange +hissing sound was heard, as if a heavy shower of rain were descending +upon the roof, and through the yawning gap over the choir there poured a +stream of molten lead of silvery brightness. Nothing can be conceived +more beautiful than this shining yet terrible cascade, which descended +with momentarily increasing fury, sparkling, flashing, hissing, and +consuming all before it. All the elaborately carved woodwork and stalls +upon which it fell were presently in flames. Leonard and his companions +now turned to fly, but they had scarcely moved a few paces when another +fiery cascade burst through the roof near the great western entrance, +for which they were making, flooding the aisles and plashing against the +massive columns. At the same moment, too, a third stream began to fall +over the northern transept, not far from where Blaize stood, and a few +drops of the burning metal reaching him, caused him to utter the most +fearful outcries. Seriously alarmed, Leonard and Wingfield now rushed to +one of the monuments in the northern aisle, and hastily clambering it, +reached a window, which they burst open. Blaize followed them, but not +without receiving a few accidental plashes from the fiery torrents, +which elicited from him the most astounding yells. Having helped him to +climb the monument, Leonard pushed him through the window after +Wingfield, and then cast his eye round the building before he himself +descended. The sight was magnificent in the extreme. Prom the flaming +roof three silvery cascades descended. The choir was in flame, and a +glowing stream like lava was spreading over the floor, and slowly +trickling down the steps leading to the body of the church. The +transepts and the greater part of the nave were similarly flooded. Above +the roar of the flames and the hissing plash of the descending torrents, +was heard the wild laughter of Solomon Eagle. Perceiving him in one of +the arcades of the southern gallery, Leonard shouted to him to descend, +and make good his escape while there was yet time, adding that in a few +moments it would be too late. + +"I shall never quit it more," rejoined the enthusiast, in a voice of +thunder, "but shall perish with the fire I have kindled. No monarch on +earth ever lighted a nobler funeral pyre." + +And as Leonard passed through the window, he disappeared along the +gallery. Breaking through the crowd collected round Wingfield and +Blaize, and calling to them to follow him, Leonard made his way to the +north-east of the churchyard, where he found a large assemblage of +persons, in the midst of which were the king, the Duke of York, +Rochester, Arlington, and many others. As Leonard advanced, Charles +discerned him amid the crowd, and motioned him to come forward. A +passage was then cleared, for him, through which Wingfield and Blaize, +who kept close beside him, were permitted to pass. + +"I am glad to find no harm has happened to you, friend," said Charles, +as he approached. "Rochester informed me you were gone to Newgate, and +as the gaol had been burnt down, I feared you might have met with the +same mishap. I now regret that I did not adopt your plan, but it may not +be yet too late." + +"It is not too late to save a portion of your city, sire," replied +Leonard; "but, alas! how much is gone!" + +"It is so," replied the king, mournfully. + +Further conversation was here interrupted by the sudden breaking out of +the fire from the magnificent rose window of the cathedral, the effect +of which, being extraordinarily fine, attracted the monarch's attention. +By this time Solomon Eagle had again ascended the roof, and making his +way to the eastern extremity, clasped the great stone cross that +terminated it with his left hand, while with his right he menaced the +king and his party, uttering denunciations that were lost in the +terrible roar prevailing around him. The flames now raged with a +fierceness wholly inconceivable, considering the material they had to +work upon. The molten lead poured down in torrents, and not merely +flooded the whole interior of the fabric, but ran down in a wide and +boiling stream almost as far as the Thames, consuming everything in its +way, and rendering the very pavements red-hot. Every stone, spout, and +gutter in the sacred pile, of which there were some hundreds, added to +this fatal shower, and scattered destruction far and wide; nor will this +be wondered at when it is considered that the quantity of lead thus +melted covered a space of no less than six acres. Having burned with +incredible fury and fierceness for some time, the whole roof of the +sacred structure fell in at once, and with a crash heard at an amazing +distance. After an instant's pause, the flames burst forth from every +window in the fabric, producing such an intensity of heat, that the +stone pinnacles, transom beams, and mullions split and cracked with a +sound like volleys of artillery, shivering and flying in every +direction. The whole interior of the pile was now one vast sheet of +flame, which soared upwards, and consumed even the very stones. Not a +vestige of the reverend structure was left untouched--its bells--its +plate--its woodwork--its monuments--its mighty pillars--its +galleries--its chapels--all, all were destroyed. The fire raged +throughout all that night and the next day, till it had consumed all but +the mere shell, and rendered the venerable cathedral--"one of the most +ancient pieces of piety in the Christian world"--to use the words of +Evelyn, a heap of ruin and ashes. + + + + +VIII. HOW LEONARD RESCUED THE LADY ISABELLA. + +The course of events having been somewhat anticipated in the last +chapter, it will now be necessary to return to an earlier stage in the +destruction of the cathedral, namely, soon after the furious bursting +forth of the flames from the great eastern windows. While Leonard, in +common with the rest of the assemblage, was gazing at this magnificent +spectacle, he heard a loud cry of distress behind him, and turning at +the sound, beheld Doctor Hodges rush forth from an adjoining house, the +upper part of which was on fire, almost in a state of distraction. An +elderly man and woman, and two or three female servants, all of whom +were crying as loud as himself, followed him. But their screams fell on +indifferent ears, for the crowd had become by this time too much +accustomed to such appeals to pay any particular attention to them. +Leonard, however, instantly rushed towards the doctor, and anxiously +inquired what was the matter; the latter was so bewildered that he did +not recognise the voice of the speaker, but gazing up at the house with +an indescribable anguish, cried, "Merciful God! the flames have by this +time reached her room--she will be burned--horror!" + +"Who will be burned?" cried Leonard, seizing his arm, and gazing at him +with a look of apprehension and anguish equal to his own--"Not the Lady +Isabella?" + +"Yes, Isabella," replied Hodges, regarding the speaker, and for the +first time perceiving by whom he was addressed. "Not a moment is to be +lost if you would save her from a terrible death. She was left in a +fainting state in one of the upper rooms by a female attendant, who +deserted her mistress to save herself. The staircase is on fire, or I +myself would have saved her." + +"A ladder! a ladder!" cried Leonard. + +"Here is one," cried Wingfield, pointing to one propped against an +adjoining house. And in another moment, by the combined efforts of the +crowd, the ladder was brought and placed against the burning building. + +"Which is the window?" cried Leonard. + +"That on the right, on the second floor," replied Hodges. "Gracious +Heaven! the flames are bursting from it." + +But Leonard's foot was now on the ladder, and rushing up with +inconceivable swiftness, he plunged through the window regardless of the +flame. All those who witnessed this daring deed, regarded his +destruction as certain, and even Hodges gave him up for lost. But the +next moment he appeared at the window, bearing the fainting female form +in his arms, and with extraordinary dexterity obtaining a firm footing +and hold of the ladder, descended in safety. The shout that burst from +such part of the assemblage as had witnessed this achievement, and its +successful termination, attracted the king's attention, and he inquired +the cause of the clamour. + +"I will ascertain it for your majesty," replied Rochester, and +proceeding to the group, he learnt, to his great satisfaction, what had +occurred. Having gained this intelligence, he flew back to the king, and +briefly explained the situation of the parties. Doctor Hodges, it +appeared, had just removed to the house in question, which belonged to +one of his patients, as a temporary asylum, and the Lady Isabella had +accompanied him. She was in the upper part of the house when the fire +broke out, and was so much terrified that she swooned away, in which +condition her attendant left her; nor was the latter so much to blame as +might appear, for the stairs were burning at the time, and a moment's +delay would have endangered her own safety. + +"Fate, indeed, seems to have brought these young persons together," +replied Charles, as he listened to Rochester's recital, who took this +opportunity of acquainting him with Lord Argentine's dying injunctions, +"and it would be a pity to separate them." + +"I am sure your majesty has no such intention," said Rochester. + +"You will see," rejoined the monarch. And, as he spoke, he turned his +horse's head, and moved towards the spot where Leonard was kneeling +beside Isabella, and supporting her. Some restoratives having been +applied by Doctor Hodges, she had regained her sensibility, and was +murmuring her thanks to her deliverer. + +"She has not lost her beauty, I perceive," cried Charles, gazing at her +with admiration, and feeling something of his former passion revive +within his breast. + +"Your majesty, I trust, will not mar their happiness," said Rochester, +noticing the monarch's libertine look with uneasiness. "Remember, you +owe your life to that young man." + +"And I will pay the debt royally," replied Charles; "I will give him +permission to marry her." + +"Your majesty's permission is scarcely needed," muttered Rochester. + +"There you are wrong, my lord," replied the king. "She is now my ward, +and I can dispose of her in marriage as I please; nor will I so dispose +of her except to her equal in rank." + +"I discern your majesty's gracious intentions," replied Rochester, +gratefully inclining his head. + +"I almost forget my deliverer's name," whispered Charles, with a smile, +"but it is of no consequence, since he will so speedily change it." + +"His name is Leonard Holt," replied Rochester, in the same tone. + +"Ah!--true," returned the king. "What ho! good Master Leonard Holt," he +added, addressing the young man, "commit the Lady Isabella Argentine to +the care of our worthy friend Doctor Hodges for a moment, and stand up +before me." His injunctions being complied with, he continued, "The Lady +Isabella Argentine and I owe our lives to you, and we must both evince +our gratitude--she by devoting that life, which, if I am not +misinformed, she will be right willing to do, to you, and I by putting +you in a position to unite yourself to her. The title of Argentine has +been this day extinguished by most unhappy circumstances; I therefore +confer the title on you, and here in this presence create you Baron +Argentine, of Argentine, in Staffordshire. Your patent shall be made out +with all convenient despatch, and with it you shall receive the hand of +the sole representative of that ancient and noble house." + +"Your majesty overwhelms me," replied Leonard, falling on his knee and +pressing the king's hand, which was kindly extended towards him, to his +lips. "I can scarcely persuade myself I am not in a dream." + +"You will soon awaken to the sense of the joyful reality," returned the +king. "Have I not now discharged my debt?" he added to Rochester. + +"Right royally, indeed, my liege," replied the earl, in a tone of +unaffected emotion. "My lord," he added, grasping Leonard's hand, "I +sincerely congratulate you on your newly-acquired dignities, nor less in +the happiness that awaits you there." + +"If I do not answer you fittingly, my lord," replied the new-made peer, +"it is not because I do not feel your kindness. But my brain reels. Pray +Heaven my senses may not desert me." + +"You must not forget the document you obtained this morning, my lord," +replied Rochester, endeavouring to divert his thoughts into a new +channel. "The proper moment for consulting it may have arrived." + +Lord Argentine, for we shall henceforth give him his title, thrust his +hand into his doublet, and drew forth the parchment. He opened it, and +endeavoured to read it, but a mist swam before his eyes. + +"Let me look at it," said Rochester, taking it from him. "It is a deed +of gift," he said, after glancing at it for a moment, "from the late +Lord Argentine--I mean the elder baron--of a large estate in Yorkshire, +which he possessed in right of his wife, to you, my lord, here described +as Leonard Holt, provided you shall marry the Lady Isabella Argentine. +Another piece of good fortune. Again and again, I congratulate you." + +"And now," said Charles, "other and less pleasing matters claim our +attention. Let the Lady Isabella be removed, under the charge of Doctor +Hodges, to Whitehall, where apartments shall be provided for her at +once, together with fitting attendants, and where she can remain till +this terrible conflagration is over which, I trust, soon will be, when I +will no longer delay her happiness, but give her away in person. +Chiffinch," he added to the chief page, "see all this is carried into +effect." + +"I will, my liege, and right willingly," replied Chiffinch. + +"I would send you with her, my lord," pursued Charles to Argentine, "but +I have other duties for you to fulfil. The plan you proposed of +demolishing the houses with gunpowder shall be immediately put into +operation, under your own superintendence." + +A chair was now brought, and the Lady Isabella, after a tender parting +with her lover, being placed within it, she was thus transported, under +the charge of Hodges and Chiffinch, to Whitehall, where she arrived in +safety, though not without having sustained some hindrance and +inconvenience. + +She had not been gone many minutes, when the conflagration of the +cathedral assumed its most terrific character; the whole of the mighty +roof falling in, and the flames soaring upwards, as before related. Up +to this time, Solomon Eagle had maintained his position at the eastern +end of the roof, and still grasped the stone cross. His situation now +attracted universal attention, for it was evident he must speedily +perish. + +"Poor wretch!" exclaimed the king, shuddering, "I fear there is no way +of saving him." + +"None, whatever my liege," replied Rochester, "nor do I believe he would +consent to it if there were. But he is again menacing your majesty." + +As Rochester spoke, Solomon Eagle shook his arm menacingly at the royal +party, raising it aloft, as if invoking the vengeance of Heaven. He then +knelt down upon the sloping ridge of the roof, as if in prayer, and his +figure, thus seen relieved against the mighty sheet of flame, might have +been taken for an image of Saint John the Baptist carved in stone. Not +an eye in the vast crowd below but was fixed on him. In a few moments he +rose again, and tossing his arms aloft, and shrieking, in a voice +distinctly heard above the awful roar around him, the single word +"_Resurgam!_" flung himself headlong into the flaming abyss. A +simultaneous cry of horror rose from the whole assemblage on beholding +this desperate action. + +"The last exclamation of the poor wretch may apply to the cathedral, as +well as to himself," remarked the monarch, to a middle-aged personage, +with a pleasing and highly intellectual countenance, standing near him: +"for the old building shall rise again, like a phoenix from its fires, +with renewed beauty, and under your superintendence, Doctor Christopher +Wren." + +The great architect bowed. "I cannot hope to erect such another +structure," he said, modestly; "but I will endeavour to design an +edifice that shall not disgrace your majesty's city." + +"You must build me another city at the same time, Doctor Wren," sighed +the king. "Ah!" he added, "is not that Mr. Lilly, the almanac-maker, +whom I see among the crowd?" + +"It is," replied Rochester. + +"Bid him come to me," replied the king. And the order being obeyed, he +said to the astrologer, "Well, Mr. Lilly, your second prediction has +come to pass. We have had the Plague, and now we have the Fire. You may +thank my clemency that I do not order you to be cast into the flames, +like the poor wretch who has just perished before our eyes, as a wizard +and professor of the black art. How did you obtain information of these +fatal events?" + +"By a careful study of the heavenly bodies, sire," replied Lilly, "and +by long and patient calculations, which, if your majesty or any of your +attendants had had leisure or inclination to make, would have afforded +you the same information. _I_ make no pretence to the gift of prophecy, +but this calamity was predicted in the last century." + +"Indeed! by whom?" asked the king. + +"By Michael Nostradamus," replied Lilly; "his prediction runs thus:-- + +'La sang du juste à Londres fera faute, +Bruslez par feu, le vingt et trois, les Six; +La Dame antique cherra de place haute, +De même secte plusieurs seront occis.'[1] + +And thus I venture to explain it. The 'blood of the just' refers to the +impious and execrable murder of your majesty's royal father of blessed +memory. 'Three-and-twenty and six' gives the exact year of the calamity; +and it may likewise give us, as will be seen by computation hereafter, +the amount of habitations to be destroyed. The 'Ancient Dame' +undoubtedly refers to the venerable pile now burning before us, which, +as it stands in the most eminent spot in the city, clearly 'falls from +its high place.' The expression 'of the same sect' refers not to men, +but churches, of which a large number, I grieve to say it, are already +destroyed." + +[Footnote 1: + +'The blood of the just shall be wanting in London, +Burnt by fire of three-and-twenty, the Six; +The ancient Dame shall fall from her high place, +Of the same sect many shall be killed.'] + +"The prophecy is a singular one," remarked Charles, musingly "and you +have given it a plausible interpretation." And for some moments he +appeared lost in reflection. Suddenly rousing himself, he took forth his +tablets, and hastily tracing a few lines upon a leaf, tore it out, and +delivered it with his signet-ring to Lord Argentine. "Take this, my +lord," he said, "to Lord Craven. You will find him at his post in +Tower-street. A band of my attendants shall go with you. Embark at the +nearest stairs you can--those at Blackfriars I should conceive the most +accessible. Bid the men row for their lives. As soon as you join Lord +Craven, commence operations. The Tower must be preserved at all hazards. +Mark me!--at all hazards." + +"I understand your majesty," replied Argentine--"your commands shall be +implicitly obeyed. And if the conflagration has not gone too far, I will +answer with my life that I preserve the fortress." And he departed on +his mission. + + + + +IX. WHAT BEFEL CHOWLES AND JUDITH IN THE VAULTS OF SAINT FAITH'S. + +Having now seen what occurred outside Saint Paul's, we shall proceed to +the vaults beneath it. Chowles and Judith, it has been mentioned, were +descried by Leonard, just before the outbreak of the fire, stealing into +Saint Faith's, and carrying a heavy chest between them. This chest +contained some of the altar-plate, which they had pillaged from the +Convocation House. As they traversed the aisles of Saint Faith's, which +were now filled with books and paper, they could distinctly hear the +raging of the fire without, and Judith, who was far less intimidated +than her companion, observed, "Let it roar on. It cannot injure us." + +"I am not so sure of that," replied Chowles, doubtfully, "I wish we had +taken our hoards elsewhere." + +"There is no use in wishing that now," rejoined Judith. "And it would +have been wholly impossible to get them out of the city. But have no +fear. The fire, I tell you, cannot reach us. It could as soon burn into +the solid earth as into this place." + +"It comforts me to hear you say so," replied Chowles. "And when I think +of those mighty stone floors above us, I feel we are quite safe. No, no, +it can never make its way through them." + +Thus discoursing, they reached the charnel at the further end of the +church, where Chowles struck a light, and producing a flask of strong +waters, took a copious draught himself and handed the flask to Judith, +who imitated his example. Their courage being thus stimulated, they +opened the chest, and Chowles was so enraptured with its glittering +contents that he commenced capering round the vault. Recalled to +quietude by a stern reproof from Judith, he opened a secret door in the +wall, and pushed the chest into a narrow passage beyond it. Fearful of +being discovered in their retreat, they took a basket of provisions and +liquor with them, and then closed the door. For some time, they +proceeded along the passage, pushing the chest before them, until they +came to a descent of a few steps, which brought them to a large vault, +half-filled with bags of gold, chests of plate, caskets, and other +plunder. At the further end of this vault was a strong wooden door. +Pushing the chest into the middle of the chamber, Chowles seated himself +upon it, and opening the basket of provisions, took out the bottle of +spirits, and again had recourse to it. + +"How comfortable and secure we feel in this quiet place," he said; +"while all above us is burning. I declare I feel quite merry, ha! ha!" +And he forced a harsh and discordant laugh. + +"Give me the bottle," rejoined Judith, sternly, "and don't grin like a +death's head. I don't like to see the frightful face you make." + +"It's the first time you ever thought my face frightful," replied +Chowles, "and I begin to think you are afraid." + +"Afraid!" echoed Judith, forcing a derisive laugh in her turn; +"afraid--of what?" + +"Nay, I don't know," replied Chowles; "only I feel a little +uncomfortable. What if we should not be able to breathe here? The very +idea gives me a tightness across the chest." + +"Silence!" cried Judith, with a fierceness that effectually insured +obedience to her command. + +Chowles again had recourse to the bottle, and deriving a false courage +from it, as before, commenced skipping about the chamber in his usual +fantastical manner. Judith, did not attempt to check him, but remained +with her chin resting upon her hand gazing at him. + +"Do you remember the Dance of Death, Judith?" he cried, executing some +of the wildest flourishes he had then performed, "and how I surprised +the Earl of Rochester and his crew?" + +"I do," replied Judith, sternly, "and I hope we may not soon have to +perform that dance together in reality." + +"It was a merry night," rejoined Chowles, who did not hear what she +said, "a right merry night--and so to-night shall be, in spite of what +is occurring overhead. Ha! ha!" And he took another long pull at the +flask. "I breathe freely now." And he continued his wild flourishes +until he was completely exhausted. He then sat down by Judith, and would +have twined his bony arms round her neck, but she roughly repulsed him. + +With a growl of displeasure, he then proceeded to open and examine the +various bags, chests, and caskets piled upon the floor, and the sight of +their contents so excited Judith, that shaking off her misgivings, she +joined him, and they continued opening case after case, glutting their +greedy eyes, until Chowles became aware that the vault was filled with +smoke. As soon as he perceived this, he started to his feet in terror. + +"We are lost--we shall be suffocated!" he cried! Judith likewise arose, +and her looks showed that she shared in his apprehensions. + +"We must not stay here," cried Chowles; "and yet," he added, with an +agonised look at the rich store before him, "the treasure! the +treasure!" + +"Ay, let us, at least, take something with us," rejoined Judith, +snatching up two or three of the most valuable caskets. + +While Chowles gazed at the heap before him, hesitating what to select, +the smoke grew so dense around them, that Judith seized his arm, and +dragged him away. "I come--I come!" he cried, snatching up a bag of +gold. + +They then threaded the narrow passage, Judith leading the way and +bearing the light. The smoke grew thicker and thicker as they advanced; +but regardless of this, they hurried to the secret door leading to the +charnel. Judith touched the spring, but as she did so, a sheet of flame +burst in and drove her back. Chowles dashed passed her, and with great +presence of mind shut the door, excluding the flame. They then hastily +retraced their steps, feeling that not a moment was to be lost if they +would escape. The air in the vault, thickened by the smoke, had become +so hot that they could scarcely breathe; added to which, to increase +their terror, they heard the most awful cracking of the walls overhead, +as if the whole fabric were breaking asunder to its foundation. + +"The cathedral is tumbling upon us! We shall be buried alive!" exclaimed +Chowles, as he listened with indescribable terror to the noise overhead! + +"I owe my death to you, wretch!" cried Judith, fiercely. "You persuaded +me to come hither." + +"I!" cried Chowles. "It is a lie! You were the person who proposed it. +But for you I should have left our hoards here, and come for them after +the fire was over." + +"It is you who lie!" returned Judith, with increased fury, "that was my +proposal." + +"Hold your tongue, you she-devil," cried Chowles, "it is you who have +brought me into this strait--and if you do not cease taunting me, I will +silence you for ever." + +"Coward and fool!" cried Judith, "I will at least have the satisfaction +of seeing you die before me." + +And as she spoke, she rushed towards him, and a desperate struggle +commenced. And thus while the walls were cracking overhead, threatening +them with instant destruction, the two wretches continued their strife, +uttering the most horrible blasphemies and execrations. Judith, being +the stronger of the two, had the advantage, and she had seized her +opponent by the throat with the intention of strangling him, when a most +terrific crash was heard causing her to loose her gripe. The air +instantly became as hot as the breath of a furnace, and both started to +their feet. "What has happened?" gasped Chowles. + +"I know not," replied Judith, "and I dare not look down the passage." + +"Then I will," replied Chowles, and he advanced a few paces up it, and +then hastily returned, shrieking, "it is filled with boiling lead, and +the stream is flowing towards us." + +Scarcely able to credit the extent of the danger, Judith gazed down the +passage, and there beheld a glowing silvery stream trickling slowly +onwards. She saw too well, that if they could not effect their retreat +instantly, their fate was sealed. + +"The door of the vault!" she cried, pointing towards it, "where is the +key? where is the key?" + +"I have not got it," replied Chowles, distractedly, "I cannot tell where +to find it." + +"Then we are lost!" cried Judith, with a terrible execration. + +"Not so," replied Chowles, snatching up a pickaxe, "if I cannot unlock +the door, I can break it open." + +With this, he commenced furiously striking against it, while Judith, who +was completely horror-stricken, and filled with the conviction that her +last moments were at hand, fell on her knees beside him, and gazing down +the passage, along which she could see the stream of molten lead, now +nearly a foot in depth, gradually advancing, and hissing as it came, +shrieked to Chowles to increase his exertions. He needed no incitement +to do so, but nerved by fear, continued to deal blow after blow against +the door, until at last he effected a small breach just above the lock. +But this only showed him how vain were his hopes, for a stream of fire +and smoke poured through the aperture. Notwithstanding this, he +continued his exertions, Judith shrieking all the time, until the lock +at last yielded. He then threw open the door, but finding the whole +passage involved in flame, was obliged to close it. Judith had now +risen, and their looks at each other at this fearful moment were +terrible in the extreme. Retreating to either side of the cell, they +glared at each other like wild beasts. Suddenly, Judith casting her eyes +to the entrance of the vault, uttered a yell of terror, that caused her +companion to look in that direction, and he perceived that the stream of +molten lead had gained it, and was descending the steps. He made a rush +towards the door at the same time with Judith, and another struggle +ensued, in which he succeeded in dashing her upon the floor. He again +opened the door, but was again driven backwards by the terrific flame, +and perceived that the fiery current had reached Judith, who was +writhing and shrieking in its embrace. Before Chowles could again stir, +it was upon him. With a yell of anguish, he fell forward, and was +instantly stifled in the glowing torrent, which in a short time flooded +the whole chamber, burying the two partners in iniquity, and the whole +of their ill-gotten gains, in its burning waves. + + + + +X. + +CONCLUSION. + +Lord Argentine proceeded, as directed by the king, to the eastern end of +Tower-street, where he found Lord Craven, and having delivered him the +king's missive, and shown him the signet, they proceeded to the western +side of the Tower Dock, and having procured a sufficient number of +miners and engineers, together with a supply of powder from the +fortress, commenced undermining the whole of the row of habitations +called Tower-bank, on the edge of the dock, having first, it is scarcely +necessary to state, taken care to clear them of their inhabitants. The +powder deposited, the trains were fired, and the buildings blown into +the air. At this time the whole of the western side of the Tower Moat +was covered with low wooden houses and sheds, and, mindful of the king's +instructions, Lord Argentine suggested to Lord Craven that they should +be destroyed. The latter acquiescing, they proceeded to their task, and +in a short time the whole of the buildings of whatever description, from +the bulwark-gate to the city postern, at the north of the Tower, and +nearly opposite the Bowyer Tower, were destroyed. Long before this was +accomplished they were joined by the Duke of York, who lent his utmost +assistance to the task, and when night came on, a clear space of at +least a hundred yards in depth, had been formed between the ancient +fortress and the danger with which it was threatened. + +Meantime the conflagration continued to rage with unabated fury. It +burnt throughout the whole of Monday night, and having destroyed Saint +Paul's, as before related, poured down Ludgate-hill, consuming all in +its way, and, crossing Fleet Bridge, commenced its ravages upon the +great thoroughfare adjoining it. On Tuesday an immense tract was on +fire. All Fleet-street, as far as the Inner Temple, Ludgate-hill, and +the whole of the city eastwards, along the banks of the Thames, up to +the Tower Dock, where the devastation was checked by the vast gap of +houses demolished, were in flames. From thence the boundary of the fire +extended to the end of Mark-lane, Lime-street, and Leadenhall, the +strong walls of which resisted its fury. Ascending again by the Standard +on Cornhill, Threadneedle-street, and Austin Friars, it embraced +Drapers' Hall, and the whole mass of buildings to the west of +Throgmorton-street. It next proceeded to the then new buildings behind +Saint Margaret's, Lothbury, and so on westward to the upper end of +Cateaton-street, whence it spread to the second postern in London Wall, +and destroying the ramparts and suburbs as far as Cripplegate, consumed +Little Wood-street, Mungwell-street, and the whole of the city wall on +the west as far as Aldersgate. Passing a little to the north of Saint +Sepulchre's, which it destroyed, it crossed Holborn Bridge, and +ascending Saint Andrew's-hill, passed the end of Shoe-lane, and so on to +the end of Fetter-lane. The whole of the buildings contained within this +boundary were now on fire, and burning with terrific fury. And so they +continued till the middle of Wednesday, when the wind abating, and an +immense quantity of houses being demolished according to Lord +Argentine's plan, the conflagration was got under; and though it broke +out in several places after that time, little mischief was done, and it +may be said to have ceased on the middle of that day. + +On Saturday morning in that week, soon after daybreak, a young man, +plainly yet richly attired in the habiliments then worn by persons of +high rank, took his way over the smouldering heaps of rubbish, and along +the ranks of ruined and blackened walls denoting the habitations that +had once constituted Fleet-street. It was with no little risk, and some +difficulty, that he could force his way, now clambering over heaps of +smouldering ashes, now passing by some toppling wall, which fell with a +terrific crash after he had just passed it--now creeping under an +immense pile of blackened rafters; but he at length reached Fleet +Bridge, where he paused to gaze at the scene of devastation around him. + +It was indeed a melancholy sight, and drew tears to his eyes. The +ravages of the fire were almost inconceivable. Great beams were burnt to +charcoal--stones calcined, and as white as snow, and such walls and +towers as were left standing were so damaged that their instant fall was +to be expected. The very water in the wells and fountains was boiling, +and even the muddy Fleet sent forth a hot steam. The fire still lingered +in the lower parts of many habitations, especially where wine, spirits, +or inflammable goods had been kept; and these "voragos of subterranean +cellars," as Evelyn terms them, still emitted flames, together with a +prodigious smoke and stench. Undismayed by the dangers of the path he +had to traverse, the young man ascended Ludgate-hill, still encountering +the same devastation, and passing through the ruined gateway, the end of +which remained perfect, approached what had once been Saint Paul's +Cathedral. Mounting a heap of rubbish at the end of Ludgate street, he +gazed at the mighty ruin, which looked more like the remains of a city +than those of a single edifice. + +The solid walls and buttresses were split and rent asunder; enormous +stones were splintered and calcined by the heat; and vast flakes having +scaled from off the pillars, gave them a hoary and almost ghostly +appearance. Its enormous extent was now for the first time clearly seen, +and, strange to say it looked twice as large in ruins as when entire. +The central tower was still standing, but chipped, broken, and calcined, +like the rest of the structure, by the vehement heat of the flames. Part +of the roof, in its fall, broke through the solid floor of the choir, +which was of immense thickness, into Saint Faith's, and destroyed the +magazine of books and paper deposited there by the booksellers. The +portico, erected by Inigo Jones, and which found so much favour in +Evelyn's eyes, that he describes it as "comparable to any in Europe," +and particularly deplores its loss, shared the fate of the rest of the +building--the only part left uninjured being the architrave, the +inscription on which was undefaced. + +Having satiated himself with this sad but striking prospect, the young +man, with some toil and trouble, crossed the churchyard, and gained +Cheapside, where a yet more terrific scene of devastation than that +which he had previously witnessed burst upon him. On the right of London +Bridge, which he could discern through the chasms of the houses, and +almost to the Tower, were nothing but ruins, while a similar waste lay +on the left. Such was the terrible change that had been wrought in the +aspect of the ruined city, that if the young man had not had some marks +to guide him, he would not have known where he was. The tower and ruined +walls of Saint Peter's Church pointed out to him the entrance to +Wood-street, and, entering it, he traversed it with considerable +difficulty--for the narrow thoroughfares were much fuller of rubbish, +and much less freed from smoke and fiery vapour, than the wider--until +he reached a part of it with which he had once been well acquainted. +But, alas! how changed was that familiar spot. The house he sought was a +mere heap of ruins. While gazing at them, he heard a voice behind him, +and turning, beheld Mr. Bloundel and his son Stephen, forcing their way +through what had once been Maiden-lane. A warm greeting passed between +them, and Mr. Bloundel gazed for some time in silence upon the wreck of +his dwelling. Tears forced themselves into his eyes, and his companions +were no less moved. As he turned to depart, he observed to the young man +with some severity: + +"How is it, Leonard, that I see you in this gay apparel? Surely, the +present is not a fitting season for such idle display." + +Lord Argentine, for such it was, now explained to the wonder-stricken +grocer all that had occurred to him, adding that he had intended coming +to him that very day, if he had not been thus anticipated, to give him +the present explanation. + +"And where are Farmer Wingfield and Blaize?" asked Mr. Bloundel. "We +have been extremely uneasy at your prolonged absence." + +"They are both at the palace," replied Lord Argentine, "and have both +been laid up with slight injuries received during the conflagration; but +I believe--nay, I am sure--they will get out to-day." + +"That is well," replied Mr. Bloundel; "and now let me congratulate you, +Leonard--that is, my lord--how strange such a title sounds!--on your new +dignity. + +"And accept my congratulations, too, my lord," said Stephen. + +"Oh! do not style me thus," said Argentine. "With you, at least, let me +be ever Leonard Holt." + +"You are still my old apprentice, I see," cried the grocer, warmly +grasping his hand. + +"And such I shall ever continue in feeling," returned the other, +cordially returning the pressure. + +Three days after this, Lord Argentine was united to the Lady +Isabella.--the king, as he had promised, giving away the bride. The Earl +of Rochester was present, together with the grocer and his wife, and the +whole of their family. Another marriage also took place on the same day +between Blaize and Patience. Both unions, it is satisfactory to be able +to state, were extremely happy, though it would be uncandid not to +mention, that in the latter case, to use a homely but expressive phrase, +"the grey mare proved the better horse." Blaize, however, was +exceedingly content under his government. He settled at Willesden with +his wife, where they lived to a good old age, and where some of his +descendants may still be found. + +Mr. Bloundel sustained only a trifling loss by the fire. Another house +was erected on the site of the old habitation, where he carried on his +business as respectably and as profitably as before, until, in the +course of nature, he was gathered to his fathers, and succeeded by his +son Stephen, leaving an unblemished character behind him as a legacy to +his family. Nor was it his only legacy, in a worldly sense, for his time +had not been misspent, and he had well-husbanded his money. All his +family turned out well, and were successful in the world. Stephen rose +to the highest civic dignities, and the younger obtained great +distinction. Their daughter Christiana became Lady Argentine, being +wedded to the eldest son of the baron and baroness. + +Mike Macascree, the piper, and Bell, found a happy asylum with the same +noble family. + +As to Lord and Lady Argentine, theirs was a life of uninterrupted +happiness. Devotedly attached to her lord, the Lady Isabella seemed only +to live for him, and he well repaid her affection. By sedulously +cultivating his talents and powers, which were considerable, he was +enabled to reflect credit upon the high rank to which it had pleased a +grateful sovereign to elevate him. He lived to see the new cathedral +completed by Sir Christopher Wren, and often visited it with feelings of +admiration, but never with the same sentiments of veneration and awe +that he had experienced when, in times long gone by, he had repaired to +OLD SAINT PAUL'S. + + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Old Saint Paul's, by William Harrison Ainsworth + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11082 *** |