Old Saint Pauls. A tale of the plague and the fire / by William Harrison Ainsworth.

  • Ainsworth, William Harrison, 1805-1882.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Old Saint Pauls. A tale of the plague and the fire / by William Harrison Ainsworth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “ You cannot see my father, mother,” she said in a broken and supplicatory tone. “ But she can write to him, or send a message by me,” rejoined Hodges. “ I will deliver it when I go down stairs.” “ What my mother has to say cannot be confided to a third party, sir,” returned Amabel. “ Better defer it, then,” said the doctor; who, as he looked hard at her, and saw the colour mount to her cheeks, began to suspect something of the truth. “ Whatever you have to say, Mrs. Bloundel, may be very w^ell delayed; for the house is now closed, with a watchman at the door, and will continue so for a month to come. No one can quit it, except members of our profession, searchers, nurses, and other authorised persons during that time.” “ But can no one enter it, do you think asked Mrs. Bloundel. “ No one would desire to do so, I should conceive, except a lover,” replied Hodges, with a sly look at Amabel, who instantly averted her gaze. “ Where a pretty girl is concerned the plague itself has no terrors.” “Precisely my opinion, doctor,” rejoined Mrs. Bloundel; “ and as I cannot consult my husband, perhaps you will favour me with your advice as to how I ought to act, if such a person as you describe should get into the house.” “ I seldom meddle with family matters,” rejoined Hodges; “ but I feel so much interest in all that relates to Mr. Bloundel, that I am induced to depart from my rule on the present occasion. It is evident you have lost your heart,” he added, to Amabel, whose blushes told him he was right; “but not I hope to one of those worthless court-gallants, who, as I learn from common report, are in the habit of toasting you daily. If it is so, you must subdue your passion; for it cannot lead to good. Be not dazzled by a brilliant exterior, which often conceals a treacherous heart; but try to fix your aflections on some person of little pretension, but of solid worth. Never, I grieve to say, was there a season when such universal profligacy prevailed as at present. Never was it so necessary for a young maiden, possessed of beauty like yours, to act with discretion. Never was a court so licentious as that of our sovereign, Charles the Second, whose corrupt example is imitated by every one around him, while its baneful influence extends to all classes. Were I to echo the language of the preachers, I should say it was owing to the wickedness and immorality of the times, that this dreadful judgment of the plague has been inflicted upon us; but I merely bring it forward as an argument to prove to you, Amabel, that if you would escape the moral contagion by which you are threatened, you must put the strictest guard upon your conduct.” Amabel faintly murmured her thanks. “ You speak as my husband himself would have spoken,” said Mrs. Bloundel. “ Ah! we little thought when we prayed that the