"
She drew back into the shadow as she spoke; and the two nobles,
as they advanced, talking earnestly, beheld Sir Norman and
Ormiston. Both raised their hats with a look of recognition, and
the salute was courteously returned by the others.
"Good-night, gentlemen," said Lord Rochester; "a hot evening, is
it not? Have you come here to witness the illumination?"
"Hardly," said Sir Norman; "we have come for a very different
purpose, my lord."
"The fires will have one good effect," said Ormiston laughing;
"if they clear the air and drive away this stifling atmosphere."
"Pray God they drive away the plague!" said the Duke of York, as
he and his companion passed from view.
The page sprang up the stairs after them, humming as he came, one
of his master's love ditties - songs, saith tradition, savoring
anything but the odor of sanctity. With the warning of La Masque
fresh in their mind, both looked at him earnestly. His gay
livery was that of Lord Rochester, and became his graceful figure
well, as he marched along with a jaunty swagger, one hand on his
aide, and the other toying with a beautiful little spaniel, that
frisked in open violation of the Lord Mayor's orders, commanding
all dogs, great and small, to be put to death as propagators of
the pestilence.
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