But Althea could not forget Lacy’s words about Andrew, nor could I persuade her they were false tales spoken in pure despite; she brooded over them, remembering all the tales we had heard of good men’s sufferings in poisonous infected dungeons; and at last she said to me,—­

’I wish Lacy had but said in what prison he saw our Andrew; however, it was in London, Lucy? sure he said London?’

‘Ay,’ said I, ’that’s what he said, if you can pin any faith on the raving talk of a plague-stricken man.’

‘He spoke truth,’ said she; ’I am too sure of it.  Now there will not be so many gaols in London town, Lucy, but I can find out where Andrew lies; and if I cannot have him out, I can supply his wants at least.’

‘Althea, Althea, you do not dream of going up?’ I cried; ’it were sinful madness!  By all accounts the sickness increases there from day to day; the poor people die like flies.’

‘I care not,’ says she; and I found her immoveably set on taking this journey speedily.  She was getting together all the money she could, and her jewels too, intending to turn them into money if needful; and she was packing some clothes in very small compass, so as to carry them herself as she journeyed.

‘It is not likely,’ she said, ’that I shall find companions on such a journey.  I must learn to be my own servant.’

But I had soon resolved that one companion she should have, and that should be myself; so, after a few more vain efforts to shake her resolution, I acquainted her with mine; and with incredible trouble I got her to agree to it, for I said at last that the roads were as free to me as to her; if she so disliked my company as she said, she might take the right side of the way and I would take the left.  ’But where thou goest,’ said I, ‘there will I go, Althea.’

‘Take heed,’ she replied instantly, ’that it be not “Where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried."’

‘So let it be,’ I said, ’if it is Heaven’s will; but you go not up alone;’ upon which she yielded, saying she had not thought I had so much sturdiness.

I cannot deny I thought it a mad expedition, though I dreamed not of the straits into which we have since been driven.  But I had prayed again and again for guidance, and always it grew clearer to me that I must cleave to my sister.  So I made haste to get ready for our wild journey; and after Althea’s example, I sewed certain moneys and jewels into the clothes I wore, and put a competent sum in my purse.  Then came the telling the Standfasts of our intent.  They opposed it at first with all their might, and no wonder; then, their anxiety about Andrew making them yield a little, Matthew took his stand on this, that we must have some protector.

‘A man-servant you have at least, or you do not stir,’ quoth he.

‘But you cannot be spared from this place,’ we urged; ’and who else is there faithful and bold enough for such a service?’