arpeted--a thing in those days
quite unusual save in very magnificent houses. Doors stood open,
and there were traces of confusion in some of the rooms; but Dorcas
was already hurrying her companions up the stairs, and the silence
of the house was broken by the sound of a shrill voice demanding in
imperious tones who were coming and what was their business.

"Fear not, mistress, it is I!" cried Dorcas, springing forward in
advance of the others.

She disappeared within an open door, and her companions heard the
sharp tones of the answering voice saying:

"Tush, child! who talks of fear? It is only fools who fear! Dost
think I am scared by this bogey talk of plague? A colic, child--a
colic; that is all I ail. I have always suffered thus in hot
weather all my life. Plague, forsooth! I could wish I had had it,
that I might have given it as a parting benediction to those knaves
and hussies who thought to rob me when I lay a-dying, as many a
woman has been robbed before! I only hope they may sicken of pure
fright, as has happened to many a fool before now! Ha! ha! ha! how
they did run! They thought I was tied by the leg for once. But I
had them--I had them! I warrant me they did not take the worth of a
sixpence from my house!"

The chuckling laugh which followed bespoke a keen sense of
enjoyment. Certainly this high-spirited old lady was not much like
the ordinary plague patient. Dinah knocked lightly at the door, and
entered, the two girls following her out of sheer curiosity.

"Heyday! and who are these?" cried Lady Scrope.

That redoubtable old dame was sitting up in bed, her great frilled
nightcap tied beneath her chin, her hawk's eyes full of life and
fire, although her face was very pinched and blue, and there were
lines about her brow and lips which told the experienced eyes of
the sick nurse that she was suffering considerable pain.

Dinah explained their sudden appearance, and asked if they could be
of any service. The old lady gazed at them all in turn, and her
face relaxed as she broke into rather a grim laugh.

"Plague nurses, by all the powers! Certes, this is very pretty
company! If all that is said be true, ye be the worst harpies of
all. I had better have my own minions to rob me than be left to
your tender mercies. Three of you, too! Verily, 'wheresoever the
carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together,'" and the
patient laughed again, as though tickled at her own grim
pleasantry.

Dor