"I am come for Nizza Macascree," replied Leonard, "whom you and Chowles have detained against her will." Parravicin glanced sternly and inquiringly at the coffin-maker.
"I have protested to him that she is not here, Sir Paul," said the latter, "but he will not believe me, and has compelled me, by threats of taking my life, to bring him and his companion to you." "Then take them back again," rejoined Parravicin, turning haughtily upon his heel.
"That answer will not suffice, Sir Paul," cried Leonard--"I will not depart without her." "How!" exclaimed the knight, drawing his sword.

"Do you dare to intrude upon my presence?
Begone! or I will punish your presumption." And he prepared to attack the apprentice.
"Advance a footstep," rejoined Leonard, who had never relinquished his grasp of Chowles, "and I pass my sword through this man's body.

Speak, villain," he continued, in a tone so formidable that the coffin-maker shook with apprehension--"is she here or not ?" Chowles gazed from him to the knight, whose deportment was equally menacing and appeared bewildered with terror.
"It is needless," said Leonard, "your looks answer for you.

She _is_." "Yes, yes, I confess she is," replied Chowles.
"You hear what he says, Sir Paul," remarked Leonard.
"His fears would make him assert anything," rejoined Parravicin, disdainfully.

"If you do not depart instantly, I will drive you forth." "Sir Paul Parravicin," rejoined Leonard, in an authoritative tone, "I command you in the king's name, to deliver up this girl." Parravicin laughed scornfully.