While she looked now, an upper window was
opened, a night-cap was thrust out and a voice from its cavernous
depths hailed the guard.
"Robert! I say, Robert!"
"Well!" said Robert, looking up.
"Master and missus be gone at last, and the rest won't live till
morning."
"Won't they?" said Robert, phlegmatically; "what a pity! Got 'em
ready, and I'll stop the dead-cart when it comes round."
Just as he spoke, the well-known rattle of wheels, the loud
ringing of the bell, and the monotonous cry of the driver, "Bring
out your dead! bring out your dead!" echoed on the pale night's
silence; and the pest-cart came rumbling and jolting along with
its load of death. The watchman hailed the driver, according to
promise, and they entered the house together, brought out one
long, white figure, and then another, and threw them on top of
the ghastly heap.
"We'll have three more for you in on hour of so - don't forget to
come round," suggested the watchman.
"All right!" said the driver, as he took his place, whipped his
horse, rang his bell, and jogged along nonchalantly to the
plague-pit.
Sick at heart, Leoline dropped the curtain, and turned round to
see somebody else standing at her elbow.
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