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.”