"We were like sisters together, and if ever I ailed aught she tended me as fondly as thou couldst thyself, mother.

Today, when we rose, she complained of headache and a feeling of illness; but we went down and took our breakfast below with the rest.

At least I took mine as usual, though she did but toy with her food.

Then all of a sudden she put her hand to her side and turned ghastly white, and fell off her chair.

A scullery wench set up a cry, 'The plague! the plague!' and forthwith they all fled this way and that--all save me, who could not leave her thus.