She was carried away in the pest-cart sure enough, but she was not thrown into the plague-pit!" "And why ?" "Because, when on reaching that horrible spot, she was found to be alive!" "Good Heaven! And what then ?" "Then," exclaimed Sir Norman, in a tone almost as excited as his own, "she was brought to the house of a friend, and left alone for a few minutes, while that friend went in search of a doctor.

On returning they found her--where do you think ?" "Where ?" "Gone!" said Sir Norman emphatically, "spirited away by some mysterious agency; for she was dying of the plague, and could not possibly stir hand or foot herself." "Dying of the plague, O Leoline!" said the stranger, in a voice full of pity and horror, while for a moment he covered his face with his hands.
"So her name is Leoline ?" said Sir Norman to himself.

"I have found that out, and also that this gentleman, whatever he may be to her, is as ignorant of her whereabouts as I am myself.

He seems in trouble, too.

I wonder if he really happens to be her husband ?" The stranger suddenly lifted his head and favored Sir Norman with a long and searching look.
"How come you to know all this, Sir Norman Kingsley," he asked abruptly.
"And how come you to know my name ?" demanded Sir Norman, very much amazed, notwithstanding his assertion that nothing would astonish him more.
"That is of no consequence! Tell me how you've learned all this ?" repeated the stranger, in a tone of almost stern authority.
Sir Norman started and stared.