Hastily drawing the blankets over the apprentice, she then turned, and regarded Nizza with a half-fearful, half-menacing look.
"What brings you here again ?" she inquired, sharply.
"Ask your own heart, and it will tell you," rejoined Nizza, boldly.

"I am come to preserve the life of this poor youth." "If you think you can nurse him better than I can, you can take my place and welcome," returned Judith, affecting not to understand her; "I have plenty of other business to attend to, and should be glad to be released from the trouble." "Can she already have effected her fell purpose ?" thought Nizza, gazing at the apprentice, whose perturbed features proclaimed that his slumber procured him no rest from suffering.

"No--no--she has not had time.

I accept your offer," she added, aloud.
"But what will your father say to this arrangement ?" asked Judith.
"When he knows my motive, he will not blame me," answered Nizza.

"Here I take my place," she continued, seating herself, "and will not quit it till he is out of danger." "Your love for this youth borders upon insanity," cried Judith, angrily.
"You shall not destroy yourself thus." "Neither shall you destroy him," retorted Nizza.