other side of the water, where it was still believed infection
would not spread.

"I will come back in the morning. My father bids us all do our
duty, and sets us the example, madam," said Dorcas, as she prepared
to take her departure.

It was a dark evening for the time of year; heavy thunderclouds
were hanging low in the sky and obscuring the light. The air was
oppressive, and seemed charged with noxious vapours. Part of this
was due to the cloud of smoke wafted along from one of the great
fires kept burning with the object of dispelling infection. But
Dorcas shivered as she stepped out into the empty street, and
looked this way and that, hoping to see one of her brothers. But
nobody was in sight and she had just descended the steps and was
turning towards her home when out from a neighbouring porch there
swaggered a very fine young gallant, who made an instant rush
towards her, with words of welcome and endearment on his lips.

In a moment Dorcas recognized him not only as the gallant who had
addressed her once before, but also as Frederick Mason, her
brothers' old playfellow, of whom such evil things were spoken now
by all their neighbours on the bridge.

Uttering a little cry of terror, the girl darted back, turned, and
commenced running like a hunted hare in the opposite direction,
careless where she went or what she did provided she only escaped
from the address and advances of her pursuer. But fleet as were her
own steps, those in pursuit seemed fleeter. She heard her tormentor
coming after her, calling her by name and entreating for a hearing.