rls came in to see the last of their
companion, and to charge her with many messages of love for Reuben.

Joseph during this interval darted round to his father's house, to
exchange a kiss with his mother and tell her the good news. It was
indeed a happy day for the parents to hear that the son whom they
had given up for lost was living, and likely, under Gertrude's
care, to do well. They had not dared to murmur or repine. It seemed
to them little short of a miracle that death had spared to them all
their children through this fearful season. When they believed one
had at last been taken, they had learned the strength and courage
to say, "God's will be done." Yet it was happiness inexpressible to
know that he was not only living, but in the safe retreat of Mary
Harmer's cottage, and under her tender and skilful care.

So used were they now to the thought of those they loved caring for
the sick, that they had almost ceased to fear contagion so
encountered. It appeared equally busy amongst those who fled from
it. They did not even chide Joseph for the reckless curiosity which
had led the boys to adventure themselves without cause in the
fashion that had led to such notable results.

When Joseph returned to Lady Scrope's, it was to find Gertrude
arrayed in the clothes provided for her, and looking, save for her
dainty prettiness, quite like a country girl come in with
marketable wares. Such things of her own as she needed for her
sojourn, together with Lady Scrope's precious box, were put into
the barrow beneath the empty basket and sacks. Then with many
affectionate farewells the pair started forth, and talking eagerly
all the while, took their way through the solitary grass-grown
streets, away through Cripplegate, and out towards the pleasanter
regions beyond the walls.

Joseph sought to engross his companion in talk, so that she might
not see or heed too much the dismal aspect of all around them. He
himself had seen a considerable difference in the city between the
time he and Benjamin had left it and today. In places it almost
seemed as though no living soul now remained; and he observed that
foot passengers in the streets went about more recklessly than
before, with a set and desperate expression of countenance, as
though they had made up their minds to the worst, and cared little
whether their fate overtook them today or a week hence.

Gertrude's thoughts, however, were so much with Reuben, that she
heeded but