the plague, and
prophesying that London had not done with calamity yet.

Gertrude was amazed at the small change in the familiar streets as
they neared their home. True, she saw more strange faces than she
had been wont to do, and read new names and new signs upon the
gaily-painted boards hanging over the shop doors. Again and again
she missed from some accustomed doorway the familiar face of the
former owner, and saw that a stranger had taken the old business.
But then, again, others were there in their old places; friendly
faces beamed upon her as she looked out of the window. It was known
upon the bridge itself that she was to come back today; and though
the appearance of this fine coach caused a little thrill of
surprise, there was a fine buzz of welcome as Reuben put out his
head and stopped the postillion at the familiar door; for so many
fears had been entertained of Reuben's death, that there were those
who could not believe they should see him again in the flesh until
he stood before them.

"What means all this? Why stop ye here?" asked the Master Builder,
with a little agitation in his voice. "You have a home of your own,
you told me, Reuben, to which to take your wife. Why stop you at
your father's house? Let the postillion drive to your own abode."

"This is our own abode, dear father," said Gertrude softly,
alighting from the coach and taking him by the hand to lead him in.

Her other hand was held by her husband; and Lady Scrope was
forgotten for the moment by all, as the three passed the familiar
threshold amid a chorus of good wishes from friends and neighbours,
to which Reuben responded by a variety of signs, Gertrude being too
much moved to notice them.

"Dear father," she said, as they stood within the lower room, which
was being now fitted as of old for a shop, "forgive us if we have
kept our happy secret till now. We wanted to have the home ready
ere we brought you to it. This is our home. A wonderful thing
befell me. A dowry was bestowed upon me by a generous patroness,
from whom I looked not to receive a penny; that dowry bought the
house. Reuben's business will give us an ample livelihood. Thou
wilt remain always with us in the dear old house which thou hast
loved. Oh how happy we shall be--how wondrously happy!

"Father dear, it was Lady Scrope who gave me the wonderful gift
that has brought us all this. We must try to thank her ere we think
of ourselves more."

So speaking Gertrude tu