Old Saint Paul's A Tale of the Plague and the Fire

cover from, and I don't think he stands a better chance than his fellows. I've been troubled with him long enough. I've borne his ill-usage and savage temper for twenty years, vainly hoping som

g the fever-a glass of cold water-the slightest thing will do it. Matthew Malmayns, you will die of the plague, that's certain. But I must be careful how I p

use, raised the latch of a small wooden shed fixed in the angle of a buttress. Evidently well acquainted with the place, she was not long in finding a

Saint Faith's without it; and as I know all their secret places and passages, which nobody else does, except my husband, I can make them a storehouse for the plunder I may o

steps. Descending them, she unlocked a small but strong door, cased with iron, and fastening it after her, procee

distinguished-she crossed to the other side, glancing fearfully around her as she threaded the ranks of pillars, whose heavy and embrowned shafts her lantern feebly illumined, and entering a recess, took a small st

pallet. His mother and the young man were still in attendance, and the former, on seeing her daughter-in-law, exclaimed, in low but angry accents-"What brings you here, Judith? I suppose you expected

hope he will. And if the doctor says so, I have no doubt of it. I only h

you show him any affection now, it will be

?" demanded Judith, with dif

he complained of a slight illness, but nothing to signify. He must have passed a frightful night, for the vergers found him in the morning running about Saint Faith's li

he last month, I have nursed more than a dozen patients, and

t dressed it," obse

blanket, and examining her husband's shoulder. "You a

you're come back to nurse your husband, Mrs. Malmayns? I shall b

of plague vinegar for you. Dip a piece of linen in it, and

y was of little avail. Before daybreak, he was seiz

got the plague?" said the ol

d the daughter-in-law, "but

other, getting up. "What

s swept off by it, as I have," replied Judith. "

ne, "I hope it will spare me.

of exciting her mother-in-law's terrors; "quit

'm ill, do you?" asked

t me look at you,

woman trembl

she asked, as her daughter-in-law eyed her for so

h remaine

nowing," continu

the truth?" returned

be, and will try to bear it. I will get home as fast as I can, and put my f

o so," replied he

ars. "I would stay with him, if I thought I could do him any good; but if I really am infec

r," replied Judith. "I wil

he disorder yourself?"

replied Judith. "

ou," replied her mothe

udith; "and those who have had it

y be incidentally remarked, was afterwards found to be entirely errone

now you were ill,"

ext day, as I was preparing to leave the house, I was seized myself, and had scarcely strength to creep up-stairs to bed. An old apothecary, named Sibbald, who had brought drugs to the house, attended me, and saved my life. In less t

ld woman; "and you will fi

," replied

, Judith," rejoined her mother-in-law. "Do not let

assed over the harsh feat

ld woman. "But a time will come

wait till then,

ed the old woman. "I must take one last look of my

world," tho

t is sacred, not to neglec

sed to do so," replie

ight, m

sed to send some blankets and medicine for poor Matthew. The doctor is a charitable m

kets, I will tell him to acquaint his master with your condition. A

d her out of the vault, and

ver me. I hope I have frightened her into the plague. But if she dies

ng it with her hand, she gaze

ntemplating him for some time, adding with a chu

et, she turned over in her mind in what way

h a bundle of blankets and several phials and pots of ointment. The man o

ll him my husband's mother, old widow Malmayns, fancies herself attacked by the plague, and if he will be kind enough to vi

message to the doctor," replied t

content with this, she stole out into Saint Faith's, and gazing round as far as the feeble light of her lamp would permit, called out in a tone that even startled herself, "Is any one lurking there?" but receiving

ved her, "are you come back again, you she-devil? Where is

fe. "They caught it from you. But never mind th

years, you accursed ja

says I sha

u," replied Judith. "Lie down, and l

iously. "You shall not approac

aping the blankets upon the pallet. "The d

s, shaking his fist at her. "You shall not tou

myself, and know how to treat it better than any doc

t submit. Take heed what you do to me, for if I have but five mi

red ointment, and rubbing his shoulder with it. "It was given me by Sibbald, the apotheca

her husband, gruffly. "He has always cheated me out of my d

his fortune no

"I don't envy him. Money so gained won

y, Matthew," replied his

should have been richer than Chowles will ever be

, suddenly pausing in her task. "

d, the sexton, with a mocking laugh,-"

demanded his

ecret," rep

is wife. "Had we better not secure it without delay

undiscovered for more than a hundred years, and will con

g it forth, won't

Matthew, "if I get be

of no use to me

of use to me,"

xton; "but if I die, the knowledge

ught Judith, beginning to

d Malmayns, writhing with pain. "The stuff you have

replied his wife, calm

l soon b

d the sufferer. "I am parched with

r it. I have a flask in my pocket," she rep

lk your avaricious hopes. You

, in a tone of incredulity. "I don't believe a

I have," he returned; -"a mighty treasure. B

r for you," she added, handing him a jug, which he drained

ad to foot, while chill damps gathered on his brow. "I have done w

d wine but for your obstinacy. But I will save you y

rave," he returned,

wo hours, he was aroused by the excruciating anguish of his sore. He had again become delirious, and raved as before about coffins, corpses, graves, and other loathsome matters. Seeing, from his altered looks and the livid and gangrenous appearanc

miracle. The dying man i

Well thought on! I have not secured it. They are carrying it off. I mu

added,-"they are carrying it off. The vergers have discovere

ght! bring the light!" And bursting open th

rgain," cried Judith, following him. "Ah! what do I see! Peo