For a time, he treated it as a vague report.

At length, a confession was extorted from him that there existed a pestilential disease in the city; but he added that it was hitherto confined to one quarter, distant from the place of his abode.
The most pathetic entreaties were urged by her that he would withdraw into the country.

He declared his resolution to comply when the street in which he lived should become infected and his stay should be attended with real danger.

He stated how much his interests depended upon the favour of his present employer, who had used the most powerful arguments to detain him, but declared that, when his situation should become, in the least degree, perilous, he would slight every consideration of gratitude and interest, and fly to _Malverton_.

Meanwhile, he promised to communicate tidings of his safety by every opportunity.
Belding, Mr.Hadwin's next neighbour, though not uninfected by the general panic, persisted to visit the city daily with his _market-cart_.
He set out by sunrise, and usually returned by noon.