ad not been
safe to pursue his attempted gallantries towards the maid. But as
he heard his father's strictures upon his conduct, coupled with
laudations of his old rival Reuben, a gleam of malice shone in his
eyes, and he at once made up his mind to contrive and carry out a
project which had been vaguely floating in his brain for some time,
and which might be the more easily arranged now that the town was
in a state of confusion and distress, and the streets were often so
empty and deserted.

In that age of vicious licence, it seemed nothing but an excellent
joke to Frederick and his boon companions to waylay a pretty city
maiden returning to her home from her daily duties. Frederick meant
no harm to the girl; but he had been piqued by the way in which his
compliments and kisses had been received, and above all he was
desirous to do a despite to Reuben, whose rebukes still rankled in
his heart, though he had quickly forgotten his good offices on the
occasion of his escapade before Lady Scrope's door. Moreover, he
owed that notable old woman a grudge likewise, and thought he could
pay off scores all round by making away with pretty Dorcas, at any
rate for a while. So he and his comrades laid their plans with what
they thought great skill, resolved that they should be carried out
upon the first favourable opportunity.

For a while Dorcas had been rather nervous of leaving the house in
Allhallowes unless Reuben was waiting for her. But as she had seen
no more of the gallant who had accosted her, and as it was said on
all hands that these had left London in hundreds, she had taken
courage of late, and had bidden her brother not incommode himself
on her account, if it were difficult for him to be her escort home.

Of late he had oftentimes been kept away by pressure of other
duties. Sometimes Dan had come in his stead. Sometimes she had
walked back alone and unmolested. Persons avoided each other in the
streets now, and hurried by with averted glances. Although upon her
homeward route, which was but short, she had as yet no infected
houses to pass, she always hastened along half afraid to look about
her. But her father's good counsel and his daily prayers for his
household so helped her to keep up heart, that she had not yet been
frightened from her occupation, although her mistress always
declared on parting in the evening that she never expected to see
her back in the morning.

"If the plague does not get you, some c