k as she hath done?"

There were many amongst her former friends and acquaintances who
would have asked that question, had they been there to ask it. Lady
Scrope had never been credited with charitable feelings; and yet it
was her doing that a large house, her own property, next door to
the small one she chose to inhabit, had been made over to the
magistrates and authorities of the city at this time, for the
housing of orphaned children whose parents had perished of the
plague, and who were thrown upon the charity of strangers, or upon
those entrusted with the care of the city at this crisis.

True, the house was standing empty and desolate. Its tenants had
fled, taking their goods with them. All that was left of plenishing
belonged to Lady Scrope. Pallets were easily provided by the
officers of health, and the place was speedily filled with little
children, who were tenderly cared for by Gertrude, Janet, and
Rebecca (who had joined her sister in this labour of love), all
three having given themselves up to this work, and finding their
hands too full to desire other occupation abroad.

Joseph and Benjamin had of course heard all about this, and knew
exactly where to find the house. It was marked with the red cross,
for, as was inevitable, many of the little inmates were carried off
by the fell disease after admission, and the numbers were
constantly thinning and being replaced by fresh ones. But hitherto
the nurses themselves had been spared, and toiled on unremittingly
at their self-chosen work.

There was no watchman at the door as the boys stole up, but they
had scarcely been there ten seconds before a window was thrown up,
and Janet's voice was heard exclaiming, "Andrew, art thou yet
returned?"

"There is nobody here, sister," answered Joseph, "save Ben and me.
We are come to say farewell, for we are going forth this night from
the city, to seek safety with our aunt in Islington. Can we do
aught for you ere we go?"

"Alas, it is the dead cart of which we have need tonight," answered
Janet. "We sent the watchman for physic, but it is needed no
longer. The little ones are dead already--three of them, and only
one ill this morning.

"Ah, brothers, glad am I to hear ye be going. God send you safety
and health; and forget not to pray for us in the city when ye are
far away. May He soon see fit to remove His chastening hand! It is
hard to see the little ones suffer."

Janet's voice was quiet and calm, but Benj