Then she went on to finish the Letter, crying over it all the While; and _Gatty_ proceeded to say, that finding what was required of her, she recommended herself to GOD, and, having laid aside her travelling Dress and taken some slight Refreshment, she went straight up to my _Lady's_ Chamber, where she found Lady _Betty_ in Bed, in very high Fever, attended only by one of the inferior Servants, quite a low Person, who had had the Disorder, therefore had Nothing to fear. That Lady _Betty_, being blinded, did not at first recognise her; but, catching the Sound of her Voice, cried peremptorily, "Is that _Gatty_, at last? Then send _Jenny_ away. You are not to leave the Room again, _Gatty_, but make them bring Everything to you." Since which, _Gatty_ had remained at her Bed-side, where she was now writing, while my _Lady_ lay in a kind of Stupor, brought on perhaps by her quieting Medicine; since the Irritation was so great, she could not keep her Hands off herself, much less sleep. Indeed, once she had bidden _Gatty_ tie her Hands up, that she might not disfigure herself in her Torment; yet she had soon been unable to keep from fighting at herself again, and when _Gatty_ had gently tried to stay her, had fiercely cried, "Isn't my Face my own, to do with as I like?" Oh poor Lady _Betty_! She that was so vain of her Beauty! and carried her Head so high! to be laid thus low, and mastered by inexorable Disease! deserted by her pampered Menials that had flattered her in Health, and beholden for the commonest Attentions, first to a poor Scullion, and now to one whom she had inhumanely neglected in her own Extremity! Was it not a Lesson to poor, purse-proud, puffed-up Humanity? And was not _Gatty_ like an Angel, returning Good for Evil? I lay awake thinking of it at Night, for many an Hour. [Illustration] CHAPTER XIV. _The Recal._ That same Evening, at Dusk, as we sat round the Fire, roasting Chestnuts and Raisins, in comes young Mr. _Heavitree_, buttoned to the Chin; and his Eyes and Cheeks in such a Glow with Exercise that I could not help thinking to myself, "What a nice-looking young Man you are!" He shook Hands very heartily all round, first with Mrs. _Bowerbank_, next with me; and, addressing me first, "Mrs. _Patty_," says he, "I come to repair and excuse the Negligence of my stupid Fellow, who forgot he had taken up at the Post-office two Letters for this House, and brought one addressed to you on to _Roaring House_." I eagerly received it; and seeing _Prue's_ Hand, hastily broke the Seal. At the same Instant, Mrs. _Bowerbank_, in a lamentable Voice, says, "Oh, Mr. _Heavitree_! only think of our _Gatty_ taking the Small-Pox!" He turned so deadly white, that I saw in a Moment how it was with him, and hastily cried, "Lady _Betty_, you mean, Ma'am, not _Gatty_!" "But _Gatty_ has no doubt taken it by this Time," says her _Mother_, "since she is constantly with Lady _Betty_."