"They are better than your own," replied Chowles, "and therefore you ought to be glad of the exchange. But give me them back again. I have no intention of making you a present."
"This is the livery of the Earl of Rochester," cried Leonard.
"To be sure it is," replied Chowles, with a ghastly smile. "One of his servants is just dead."
"Where is the profligate noble?" cried Leonard, eagerly.
"There is the person who owned these clothes," replied Chowles, pointing to the dead-cart. "You had better ask him."
"Where is the Earl of Rochester, I say, villain?" cried Leonard, menacingly.
"How should I know?" rejoined Chowles. "Here are your clothes," he added, pushing them towards him.
"I will have an answer," cried Leonard.
"Not from me," replied Chowles. And hastily snatching up the livery, he put the cart in motion, and proceeded on his road. Leonard would have followed him, but the state of his attire did not permit him to do so. Having dressed himself, he hastened to the cathedral, where he soon found the attendant who had charge of Blaize.
"Doctor Hodges has been with him," said the man, in reply to his inquiries after the porter, "and has good hopes of him. But the patient is not entirely satisfied with the treatment he has received, and wishes to try some remedies of his own. Were his request granted, all would soon be over with him."