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Updated: June 26, 2025
"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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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."
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