Dinah's voice which again took up the word.

"Whether it be God's judgment upon the city, or whether it be due
to the carelessness of man, I know not," answered Dinah quietly; "I
only say that the Bill of Mortality just published is higher than
it has been this long while, and that two in the Parish of St.
Giles have died of the plague."

"Well, St. Giles' is far enough away from us," said the Master
Builder. "If the Magistrates do their duty, there is no fear that
it will spread our way. There were deaths over yonder of the plague
last November, and it seems as though they had not yet stamped out
the germs of it. But a little firmness and sense will do that. We
have nothing to fear. So long as the cases are duly reported, we
shall soon be rid of the pest."

Dinah pressed her lips rather closely together. She had that fine
resolute cast of countenance which often characterizes those who
are constantly to be found at the bedside of the sick. Her dress
was very plain, and she wore a neckerchief of soft, white Indian
muslin about her throat, instead of the starched yellow one which
was almost universal amongst the women citizens of the day. Her
hands were large and white and capable looking. Her only ornament
was a chatelaine of many chains, to which were suspended the
multifarious articles which a nurse has in constant requisition. In
figure she was tall and stately, and in the street strangers often
paused to give her a backward glance. She was greatly in request
amongst the sick of the better class, though she was often to be
found beside the sick poor, who could give her nothing but thanks
for her skilled tendance of them.