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

e youth's appearance. The pustule had greatly increased in size; but this the doctor looked upon as a good sign: and after applying fresh poultices, and administering a hot posset-drink,

, and playing with their little sister Christiana, in the happy unconsciousness of childhood, he tapped at the door of Mrs. Bloundel's chamber, and was instantly admitted. Amabel did not raise her eyes at his entrance

eplied Hodges; "because I think the present

tephen again?" cried Mrs. B

e," replied the doctor. "As far as I can judge, the danger is over, and, aided by yo

tor," rejoined Mrs. Bloundel; "but can yo

favour. He has no fear, and takes every needful precaution. You must hope for the b

!" cried Mrs. Bloundel. "I must see him to-day

time looked up. Her eyes were red and inflamed with w

mother," she said in a br

message by me," rejoined Hodges. "I w

annot be confided to a third

truth. "Whatever you have to say, Mrs. Bloundel, may be very well delayed; for the house is now closed, with a watchman at the door, and will conti

r it, do you think?"

lied Hodges, with a sly look at Amabel, who instantly averted her gaze

onsult my husband, perhaps you will favour me with your advice as to how I

lead to good. Be not dazzled by a brilliant exterior, which often conceals a treacherous heart; but try to fix your affections on some person of little pretension, but of solid worth. Never, I grieve to say, was there a season when such universal profligacy prevailed as at present. Never was it so necessary for a young maiden, possessed of beauty like yours, to act with discretion. Never was a court so licentious as that of our sovereign, Charles the Second, whose corrupt e

tly murmure

en we prayed that the pestilence might be averted from us, that a worse calamity was behind, and th

te of them?" cried Hodges

Maurice Wyvil," re

must be an assumed name. Have you no letter or token that

e replied, drawing a smal

cast his eyes upon it. "I hope it is not too late to save you, Amabel

e replied. "But you r

ces and depravity are the town's cry, and whose name coupled

of Rochester," s

aright," replied t

surprise and terror, Amab

, doctor, that he forced himself into the house-nay, into this room-last night, and wou

lied Hodges. "But your husband, of c

. Bloundel; "but I author

ot to add to my father's present distress. I might not have been able to conquer my attachment

ght be induced to spare your father the pain which the know

-indeed I am,"

owards you, Amabel," said the doctor, "I may mention that he is at

claimed

," continued Hodges, "and heard his majesty entreat her to use her influence with Mistress Mallet

ejoined Amabel. "He is

et very beaut

ately in love with her. I heard him declare laughingly to the king,

exclaimed Amabel-"perjure

whispered Mrs. Bloundel. "You u

e, and could not repress a smile at what he beheld-"strangely enough, this very picture will convince you of the ear

sir?" inquired Amabel

ossessor of his heart, the fair Mistress Mallet, this portrait is offered by her devoted slave-ROCHESTER.' 'The sole posses

she added, producing a billet, "is in the same

his noble libertine, I shall rejoice as much as in curing your brother of the plague. B

e averred c

your father. It would only distract his mind, and prevent him from duly discharging the painful task he has undertaken. Were I in you

if she would do so,

od-looking, well-grown lad," pursued the doctor; "and

ll-looking. I have never had a fault to find with him since he came to live with us. It will re

abel?" asked Hodges. "C

en deceived once, but I will not be de

ges; "but not one in ten adheres to the resolution. When you becom

the door, and opening it, the doc

" cried Hodges. "I h

ard, "but my master wishes to se

ughter, and I hope she will take care of herself. We have been talking about you, young man,"

, in a tone of deep emotion, "when I hope

satisfied of her lover's treachery. Her mother is on your side. Do not neglect the present opportunity, for anoth

seasonable juncture,

apprentice's perplexity

overed that the person

er than the Ear

exclaime

this is not all. Amabel has promised to forg

and taking her hand, "I can scarcely credit wha

of Rochester, whom I knew not as such, I might have loved you. But now I cannot call my heart my own. I have not the affection you deserve to bestow upon you.

, dropping on his knee before her,

ee you united, my children," said Mrs. B

ing to make you happy

awing her hand, from

ber door as I passed this morning. How it came there I know not, but I can give a shrewd guess as to the

ester," said Amabel, taking t

solent!" she exclaimed, as she cast her eyes over it. "I can scarcely contain my indignation.

ay, dear mother

ine will triumph over all obstacles!'-Love like his, forsooth!" she remarked; "let him keep such stuff as that for Mistress Mallet, or his othe

ave told you the exact state of my feelings. I do not love you now, but I regard you as a true friend, and love may come hereafter. If i

is voice was choked with emotion,

. "Do not let us meet t

will think of yo

any of the household, except old Josyna, to approach you till all fear of contagion is at an end, and I a

the doctor who forced you into the ro

ee you, I will watch carefully over you." And gazing at

ho would desert you as soon as won," observed Mrs. Bloundel, "and t

en," replied

r writing at a small table, c

care will, I hope, continue so. But I entirely approve of your resolution of keeping apart from them till the month has expired. If your son goes on as he

mentioned to you last night that in case my son recovered, I had a plan which I trusted (

t," replied Hodges, "and shoul

ess in its execution-and that quality, I think, I possess. It is your opinion, I know, as it is my own, that the plague will increase in violence and endure for months-proba

, with every good result you can desire. This house, which is large and roomy, is well adapted for your purpose.

," replied the grocer. "Whoever quits the house, when it is once closed, and on wh

, "for on that determination the suc

er, and informed his master that Chowles, the coffin-maker

ission, Mr. Bloundel, she shall be admitted; I want to ask her a few questions. You had better hesitate about engaging her," he observed to the

bt about her, I cann

und

nd Chowles and Judith entered the room. The latter

Bloundel," said Chowles, bowing, "and am come

howles," returned the doctor, severely; "neither does his son

, sir," rep

one o'clock this morning, he was doing well. Yo

ock, and, in spite of all my efforts to detain him, started out of bed, rushed into Saint Faith's, an

," returned Hodges, "and I must have the matter t

truth of Mrs. Malmayn'

ow

Hodges, con

carrying it off, he suddenly sprang out of bed, and rushed to the church, where, sure enough, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Quatremain, the Earl of Rochester, and Sir George Ethere

ed Hodges, after a pause. "But w

s, as I understand, of gold pieces struck in the reign of Philip and Mary, images of the same metal, crosses, pyxes, chalices,

d Hodges. "Where is yo

may

the vault which he usu

s has undertaken to

d Hodges, "and be sure that h

ou," said Chowles. "So

Blou

er shook

rrow, and hope to find your son as well as I leave him. Chowles

replied the nurse. "You will find

octor. "If not, you will have

y that he had been improperly treated; and as the statement of Mrs. Malmayns was fully borne out by the vergers and others, he did not think it necessary to pursue the investigation further. As soon as he was