Heigho! I hope the plague will soon be over." "It won't be over for six months," rejoined Blaize, shaking his head.

"I read in a little book, published in 1593, in Queen Elizabeth's reign, and written by Simon Kelway, 'that when little children flock together, and pretend that some of their number are dead, solemnizing the burial in a mournful sort, it is a certain token that a great mortality is at hand.' This I have myself seen more than once.

Again, just before the great sickness of 1625, the churchyard wall of St.Andrew's, Holborn, fell down.

I need not tell you that the same thing occurred after the frost this winter." "I heard of it," replied Patience: "but I did not know it was a bad sign." "It is a dreadful sign," returned Blaize, with a shudder "The thought of it brings back my old symptoms.

I must have a supper to guard against infection--a slice of toasted bread, sprinkled with, vinegar, and powdered with nutmeg." And chattering thus, they proceeded to the kitchen.
Before supper could be served, Dr.Hodges made his appearance.