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.
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.
