[Old Saint Paul’s by William Harrison Ainsworth]@TWC D-Link book
Old Saint Paul’s

BOOK THE SECOND
121/210

All this was the work of a moment, and when Rochester and Etherege, who rushed after him, tried the door, they found it fastened withinside.
Just then, a loud knocking was heard at the northern entrance of the cathedral, and a verger answering the summons, Mr.Bloundel and Blaize were admitted.

On beholding the newcomers, Rochester and his companions were filled with confusion.

Equally astonished at the recounter, the grocer grasped his staff, and rushing up to the earl, demanded, in a voice that made the other, despite his natural audacity, quail--"Where is my child, my lord?
What have you done with her ?" "I know nothing about her," replied Rochester, with affected carelessness.--"Yes, I am wrong," he added, as if recollecting himself; "lam told she has run away with your apprentice." Pillichody, who had changed his attire since his escape from the grocer's dwelling, thought he might now venture to address him without fear of discovery, and, setting his arms a-kimbo, and assuming a swaggering demeanour, strutted forward and said, "Your daughter has just been wedded to Leonard Holt, Mr.Bloundel." "It is false," cried Bloundel, "as false as the character you just personated, for I recognise you as the knave who recently appeared before me as a watchman." "I pledge you my word as a nobleman," interposed Rochester, "that your daughter has just descended to Saint Faith's with your apprentice." "I can corroborate his lordship's assertion," said Etherege.
"And I," added Pillichody.

"By the holy apostle to whom this fane is dedicated! it is so." "To convince you that we speak the truth, we will go with you and assist you to search," said Rochester.
Attaching little credit to what he heard, and yet unwilling to lose a chance of recovering his daughter, the grocer rushed to the door indicated by his informant, but found it fastened.
"You had better go to the main entrance," said one of the vergers; "I have the keys with me, and will admit you." "I will keep guard here till you return," said another verger Accompanied by Rochester and Etherege, Bloundel then proceeded to the chief door of the subterranean church.

It was situated at the south of the cathedral, between two of the larger buttresses, and at the foot of a flight of stone steps.


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