Her life had been lived amongst the sick for many years.

She had never shrunk from danger, or had spared herself when the need was pressing.

Her sister Rachel, although the tears stood in her eyes, said nothing to dissuade her.
Nor indeed was there much time for discussion then, for the Master Builder looked in at that moment with a face full of concern.

He brought the news that fresh revelations were being hourly made as to the terrible rapidity with which the plague was spreading in the parishes without the walls; and he added that even the gay and giddy Court had been at last alarmed, and that the King had been heard to say he should quit Whitehall and retire with his Court and his minions to Oxford in the course of a week or a fortnight, unless matters became speedily much better.
"Ay, that is ever the way," said Harmer, sternly.

"The reckless monarch and his licentious Court draw down upon the city the wrath of God in judgment of their wickedness, and those who have provoked the judgment flee from the peril, leaving the poor of the city to perish like sheep." "Well, well, well; fine folks like change, and it is easy for them to go elsewhere.