"What has passed between us must be secret." "As the grave which shall soon close over the victim," she rejoined.
Parravicin shuddered, and hurried away, while Judith returned at a slow pace, and chinking the purse as she went to the vault.
She had scarcely passed through the door, when Nizza Macascree appeared from behind one of the massive pillars.

"This dreadful crime must be prevented," she cried--"but how?
If I run to give the alarm, it may be executed, and no one will believe me.

I will try to prevent it myself." Crossing the channel, she was about to enter the vault, when Chowles stepped forth.

She shrank backwards, and allowed him to pass, and then trying the door, found it unfastened.
IX.
HOW LEONARD WAS CURED OF THE PLAGUE.
Nizza Macascree found Judith leaning over her intended victim, and examining the plague-spot on his breast.

The nurse was so occupied by her task that she did not hear the door open, and it was not until the piper's daughter was close beside her, that she was aware of her presence.