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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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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.
All is in readiness for the journey." 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.
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