Doors stood open, and there were traces of confusion in some of the rooms; but Dorcas was already hurrying her companions up the stairs, and the silence of the house was broken by the sound of a shrill voice demanding in imperious tones who were coming and what was their business.
"Fear not, mistress, it is I!" cried Dorcas, springing forward in advance of the others.
She disappeared within an open door, and her companions heard the sharp tones of the answering voice saying: "Tush, child! who talks of fear?
It is only fools who fear! Dost think I am scared by this bogey talk of plague?
A colic, child--a colic; that is all I ail.

I have always suffered thus in hot weather all my life.

Plague, forsooth! I could wish I had had it, that I might have given it as a parting benediction to those knaves and hussies who thought to rob me when I lay a-dying, as many a woman has been robbed before! I only hope they may sicken of pure fright, as has happened to many a fool before now! Ha! ha! ha! how they did run! They thought I was tied by the leg for once.

But I had them--I had them! I warrant me they did not take the worth of a sixpence from my house!" The chuckling laugh which followed bespoke a keen sense of enjoyment.

Certainly this high-spirited old lady was not much like the ordinary plague patient.