ted face, and bidden her
instantly take herself away whilst he spoke with her mother. She
had obeyed at once, without pausing to ask the questions which
trembled on her lips. That something of ill had befallen she could
not doubt; but at least her father was safe, and she must wait with
what patience she could for the explanation of her sudden
dismissal.

She knew from her brother's reports that already infected houses
were shut up, and none permitted to go forth. But so straitly had
she herself been of late imprisoned within doors, that she felt it
would make but little difference were she to hear that a watchman
guarded the door, and that the fatal red cross had been painted
upon it.

"Our neighbours are not fearful as we are. They go to and fro in
the streets. They seek to do what they can for the relief of the
sick. My father daily speaks of their courage and faith. Why may
not I do likewise? I would fain tend the sick, even though my life
should be the forfeit. We can but live once and die once. Far
sooner would I spend a short life of usefulness to my fellow men,
than linger out a long and worthless existence in the pursuit of
idle pleasures. It does not bring happiness. Ah! how little
pleasure does it bring!"

Gertrude spoke half aloud and with some bitterness, albeit she
strove to be patient with the foibles of her mother, and to think
kindly of her, her many faults notwithstanding. But the terror of
these days was taking with her a very different form from what it
did with Madam Mason. It was inflaming within her a great desire to
be up and doing in this stricken city, where the fell disease was
walking to and fro and striking down its victims by hundreds and
thousands. Other women, in all lands and of all shades of belief,
had been found to come forward at seasons of like peril, and devote
themselves fearlessly to the care of the sick. Why might not she
make one of this band? What though it should cost her her life?
Life was not so precious a thing to her that she should set all
else aside to preserve it!

She was awakened from her fit of musing by an unwonted sound--a
hollow tapping, tapping, tapping, which seemed to come from a
corner of the attic where the shadows gathered most dun and dark.
The girl drew in her head from the window with a startled
expression on her face, and was then more than ever aware of the
strange sound which caused a slight thrill to run through her
frame.

What could it be