"She was carried to the
plague-pit in her bridal-robes, jewels and lace; and, when about
to be thrown in, was discovered, like Moses is the bulrushes, to
be all alive."
"Well," whispered Prudence, breathlessly.
"Well, O most courageous of guardians! she was carried to a
certain house, and left to her own devices, while her gallant
rescuer went for a doctor; and when they returned she was
missing. Our pretty Leoline seems to have a strong fancy for
getting lost!"
There was a pause, during which Prudence looked at her with a
face fall of mingled fear and curiosity. At last:
"Madame, how do you know all this? Were you there?"
"No. Not I, indeed! What would take me there?"
"Then how do you happen to know everything about it?"
La Masque laughed.
"A little bird told me, Prudence! Have you returned to resume
your old duties?"
"Madame, I dare not go into that house again. I am afraid of
taking the plague."
"Prudence, you are a perfect idiot! Are you not liable to take
the plague in the remotest quarter of this plague-infested city?
And even if you do take it, what odds? You have only a few years
to live, at the most, and what matter whether you die now or at
the end of a year or two?"
"What matter?" repeated Prudence, in a high key of indignant
amazement.
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