He so far succeeded that Leonard's health improved, though he still seemed a prey to secret sorrow.

Things were in this state, when one day a knock was heard at the street-door, and the summons being answered by the grocer's eldest son, Stephen, he returned with the intelligence that a person was without who desired to see Patience.

After some consideration, Mr.Bloundel summoned the kitchen-maid, and told her she might admit the stranger into the passage, and hear what he had to say.
Patience hastened with a beating heart to the door, expecting to learn some tidings of Blaize, and opening it, admitted a man wrapped in a large cloak and having a broad-leaved hat pulled over his brows.
Stepping into the passage, he threw aside the cloak and raised the hat, discovering the figure and features of Pillichody.
"What brings you here, sir ?" demanded Patience, in alarm, and glancing over her shoulder to see whether any one observed them.

"What do you want ?" "I have brought you news of Blaize," returned the bully.

"But how charmingly you look.