“Since this plague bogey has got into men’s minds I see nobody and hear nothing,” she said.  “All the fools be flying the place like so many silly sheep; or, if they come to sit awhile, their talk is all of pills and decoctions, refuses and ointments.  Bah! they will buy the drugs of every foolish quack who goes about the streets selling plague cures, and then fly off the next day, thinking that they will be the next victim.  Bah! the folly of the men!  How glad I am that I am a woman.”

“Still, madam,” said Reuben, taking his cue, “there be many noble ladies who think it well to remove themselves for a time from this infected city.  Not that for the time being the city itself is infected, and we hope to keep it free—­”

“Then men are worse fools than I take them for,” was the sharp retort.  “Keep the plague out of the city!  Bah! what nonsense will they talk next!  Is it not written in the very heavens that the city is to be destroyed?  Heed not their idle prognostications.  I tell you, young man, that the plague is already amongst us, even though men know it not.  In a few more weeks half the houses in the very city itself will be shut up, and grass will be growing in the streets.  We may be thankful if there are enough living to bury the dead.  Keep it out of the city, forsooth!  Let them do it if they can; I know better!”

Dorcas paled and shrank, fully convinced that her redoubtable mistress possessed a familiar spirit who revealed to her the things that were coming; but Reuben fancied that the old lady was but guessing, and he saw no reason to be afraid at her words.  Saying such things would not bring them to pass.

“Then, madam,” he answered, “if such be the case, would it not be well to consider whether you do not remove yourself ere these things comne to pass?  Pardon me if I seem to take it upon mnyself to advise you, but I was charged by my father, who is like to be appointed for a time one of the examiners of health whom the Mayor and Magistrates think it well to institute at this time, that soon it may not be so easy to get away from the city as it is now; wherefore it behoves the sound whilst they are yet sound to bethink them whether or not they will take themselves away elsewhere.  Also my mother wished me to ask the question of your ladyship, forasmuch as she would like to know whether my sister in such case would be required to accompany you.”

Lady Scrope nodded her head several times, an odd light of mockery gleaming in her keen black eyes.

“Tell your worthy father, good youth, that I thank him for his good counsel; but also tell him that nothing will drive me from this place—­not even though I be the only one left alive in the city.  Here I was born, and here I mean to die; and whether death comes by the plague or by some other messenger what care I?  I tell thee, lad, I am far safer here than gadding about the country.  Here I can shut myself up at pleasure from all the world.