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.
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