As he stood by the rail surrounding the plague-pit, he thought of Mr.Bloundel's singular dream, and almost hoping to be similarly favoured, flung himself on his knees, and besought Amabel, if it were possible, to appear to him.

But his entreaties produced no result.

The chill blast whistled past him, and, mindful of what had been told him, he was fain to interpret this into an answer to his request.

The night was bitterly cold, and Leonard, whose limbs were almost stiffened by long kneeling, walked round and round the enclosure at a quick pace to put his blood into circulation.

As the hour of midnight was tolled forth by the neighbouring churches, he heard footsteps, and could just detect a figure advancing towards him.
"Are you there ?" was asked in the voice of Thirlby.