oward terror will. Never
mind; I can do without you, child. I never looked for you to have
kept so long at your post. All the rest have fled long since."

Which was true indeed, only Dorcas and the old couple who lived in
the house still continuing their duties. Fear of the pestilence had
driven away the other servants, and they had sought safety on the
other side of the water, where it was still believed infection
would not spread.

"I will come back in the morning. My father bids us all do our
duty, and sets us the example, madam," said Dorcas, as she prepared
to take her departure.

It was a dark evening for the time of year; heavy thunderclouds
were hanging low in the sky and obscuring the light. The air was
oppressive, and seemed charged with noxious vapours. Part of this
was due to the cloud of smoke wafted along from one of the great
fires kept burning with the object of dispelling infection. But
Dorcas shivered as she stepped out into the empty street, and
looked this way and that, hoping to see one of her brothers. But
nobody was in sight and she had just descended the steps and was
turning towards her home when out from a neighbouring porch there
swaggered a very fine young gallant, who made an instant rush
towards her, with words of welcome and endearment on his lips.

In a moment Dorcas recognized him not only as the gallant who had
addressed her once before, but also as Frederick Mason, her
brothers' old playfellow, of whom such evil things were spoken now
by all their neighbours on the bridge.

Uttering a little cry of terror, the girl darted back, turned, and
commenced running like a hunted hare in the opposite direction,
careless where she went or what she did provided she only escaped
from the address and advances of her pursuer. But fleet as were her
own steps, those in pursuit seemed fleeter. She heard her tormentor
coming after her, calling her by name and entreating for a hearing.
She knew that he was gaining upon her and must soon catch her up.
She was in a lonely street where not a single passerby seemed to be
stirring. She looked wildly round for some way of escape, and just
at that moment saw a man come round a corner and fit a key into the
door of one of the houses.

Without pausing to think, Dorcas made a rush towards him, and so
soon as the door was opened she dashed within the house, and fled
up the staircase--fled she knew not whither--uttering breathless,
frightened cries, whilst