Excuse me a moment, while I see that the horses are ordered." So saying, and disregarding Leonard's expostulating looks, he hurried out of the room, and shut the door after him.
Hitherto, the conversation had been unrestrained and agreeable on both sides, but now they were left alone together, neither appeared able to utter a word.

Nizza cast her eyes timidly on the ground, while Leonard caressed little Bell, who had been vainly endeavouring by her gamesome tricks to win his attention.
"Doctor Hodges spoke of ordering horses," said Nizza, at length breaking silence.

"Are you going on a journey ?" "I am about to take Amabel to Ashdown Park, in Berkshire, to-morrow morning," replied Leonard.

"She is dangerously ill." "Of the plague ?" asked Nizza, anxiously.
"Of a yet worse disorder," replied Leonard, heaving a deep sigh--"of a broken heart." "Alas! I pity her from my soul!" replied Nizza, in a tone of the deepest commiseration.

"Does her mother go with her ?" "No," replied Leonard, "I alone shall attend her.