"Before I tell you, you must engage not to interfere with me," replied Parravicin. "I have marked her for my own."
"Agreed," replied Rochester. "Now, her name?"
"She is the daughter of a blind piper, who haunts the cathedral," replied Parravicin, "and her name is Nizza Macascree. Is it not charming? But you shall see her."
"We must not go too far from the door of Saint Faith's," rejoined Rochester. "Can you not contrive to bring her hither?"
"That is more easily said than done," replied Parravicin. "She is as coy as the grocer's daughter. However, I will try to oblige you."
With this, he quitted his companions, and returning shortly afterwards, said, "My mistress has likewise disappeared. I found the old piper seated at the entrance of Bishop Kempe's chapel, attended by his dog—but he missed his daughter when he awoke in the morning, and is in great trouble about her."
"Strange!" cried Etherege; "I begin to think the place is enchanted."
"It would seem so, indeed," replied Rochester.
While they were thus conversing, Pillichody, who was leaning against a column, with his eye fixed upon the door leading to Saint Faith's, observed it open, and the apprentice issue from it accompanied by two masked females. All three attempted to dart across the transept and gain the northern entrance, but they were Intercepted. Mr. Bloundel caught hold of Leonard's arm, and Rochester seized her whom he judged by the garb to be Amabel, while Parravicin, recognising Nizza Macascree, as he thought, by her dress, detained her.
"What is the meaning of all this, Leonard?" demanded the grocer, angrily.