Shortly after this, Nizza Macaseree appeared with a countenance fraught with anxiety, and informed them that Doctor Hodges was from home, and would not probably return till late at night.
"That's unfortunate," said Judith. "Luckily, however, there are other doctors in London, and some who understand the treatment of the plague far better than he does—Sibbald, the apothecary of Clerkenwell, for instance."
"Do you think Sibbald would attend him?" asked Nizza, eagerly.
"To be sure he would," replied Mrs. Malmayns, "if he were paid for it. But you seem greatly interested about this youth. I have been young, and know what effect good looks and a manly deportment have upon our sex. He has won your heart! Ha! ha! You need not seek to disguise it. Your blushes answer for you."
"A truce to this," cried Nizza, whose cheeks glowed with shame and anger.
"You can answer a plain question, I suppose," returned Judith. "Is his life dear to you?"
"Dearer than my own?" replied Nizza.
"I thought as much," returned Judith. "What will you give me to save him?"
"I have nothing," rejoined Nizza, with a troubled look—"nothing but thanks to give you."
"Think again," said Judith. "Girls like you, if they have no money, have generally some trinket—some valuable in their possession."