Resuming her seat by the couch of the sufferer, and worn out with fatigue and anxiety, she presently dropped asleep.
She was awakened after awhile by a slight noise near her, and beheld Judith bending over the apprentice, with a pot of ointment in her hand, which she was about to apply to the part affected.

The poultice had already been removed.

Uttering a loud cry, Nizza started to her feet, and snatching the ointment from the nurse, threw it away.

As soon as the latter recovered from her surprise, she seized her assailant, and forced her into the seat she had just quitted.
"Stir not till I give you permission," she cried, fiercely; "I wish to cure this young man, if you will let me." "You intend to murder him," replied Nizza; "but while I live you shall never accomplish your atrocious purpose.

Help! help!" And she uttered a prolonged piercing scream.
"Peace! or I will strangle you," cried Judith, compressing Nizza's slender throat with a powerful gripe.
And she would, in all probability, have executed her terrible threat, if a secret door in the wall had not suddenly opened and admitted Solomon Eagle.