It was a serene and beautiful night, and she could see the smooth river sparkling in the starlight, and flowing at a hundred yards' distance at the foot of the garden.

Beyond, she could indistinctly perceive the outline of the mighty city, while nearer, on the left, lay the bridge.

Solemnly across the water came the sound of innumerable bells, tolling for those who had died of the plague, and were now being borne to their last home.

While listening to these sad sounds, another, but more doleful and appalling noise, caught her ears.

It was the rumbling of cart-wheels in the adjoining street, accompanied by the ringing of a hand-bell, while a hoarse-voice cried, "Bring out your dead! bring out your dead!" On hearing this cry, she closed the window and retired.