Along both sides of a large room, occupying nearly the whole of the ground-floor, were rows of pallets, on which were laid the sick, many of whom were tied down to their couches.

Almost all seemed in a hopeless state, and the cadaverous hue of their countenances proclaimed that death was not far off.

Though the doors and windows were open, and the room was filled with vapours and exhalations, arising from pans of coal and plates of hot iron, on which drugs were burning, nothing could remove the putrid, and pestilential smell that pervaded the chamber.

The thick vapour settled on the panes of the windows, and on the roof, and fell to the ground in heavy drops.

Marching quickly past each bed, the grocer noted the features of its unfortunate occupant; but though there were many young men, Leonard was not among the number.