as
needful, fared better than many who shut themselves up at home, and
feared to look forth even from their windows. As an examiner of
health he was frequently brought into contact with the sick, and
his son even oftener, and yet both kept their health wonderfully.
True, there were many amongst those who filled these perilous
offices who did fall victims, but not more in proportion than
others who shunned all contact with peril. Steady nerves and a
stout heart seemed as good preventives as any antidote; and the
physicians who laboured ceaselessly and devotedly amongst the
stricken ones seemed seldom to suffer. Moreover, after all these
weeks of terror, the minds of persons of all degrees were growing
used to the sense of uncertainty and peril, and Janet's request
aroused no very strenuous opposition from any member of her family.

"She shall please herself," said her father, after some discussion
on the subject. "God has been very merciful to us so far. We will
put our trust in Him during all this time. If the girl has had a
call, let her do her duty, and He will he with her."

That night the three devoted women slept beneath the roof of the
bridge house. Upon the morrow they sallied forth to their strange
task, but were told by the master of the house that they might
return thither at any time they chose, provided they took the
prescribed precautions with regard to their clothing before they
entered.

The sun was blazing hotly down on the streets as they opened the
door to go forth. Sultry weather had now set in, no rain fell
through the long, scorching days, and the heat was a terrible
factor in the spread of the epidemic. Dinah, who had been nigh upon
fourteen days shut up in one house, looked about her with grave,
watchful eyes. Already she saw a great difference in the look of
the bridge. Four houses were marked with the ominous red cross; and
the tide of traffic, bearing the stream of persons out from the
stricken city, had almost ceased. Bills of health were difficult to
obtain now. The country villages round were loth to receive inmates
of London. All roads were watched, and many hapless stragglers sent
back again who had thought to escape from the city of destruction.
Myriads had already left, and others were still flying--they could
make shift to escape. But the continuous stream had ceased to cross
the bridge. Foot passengers were few, and all walked in the middle
of the road, avoiding contact with one a