ot judge her. God is the Judge.
By this time, methinks, she will have passed from time to
eternity."

Dorcas shuddered and hid her face. She could not grasp the thought
that her redoubtable mistress was no more; but the weird sight of
the fire, as seen from the river, drew her thoughts even from the
contemplation of the tragedy just enacted. The great pall of smoke
seemed extending to a fearful distance, and the girl turned with a
sudden terror to her father.

"Father, will our house be burned?"

"I trust not, my child, I trust not. It is of great moment that the
bridge should be saved, not for its own sake only, but to keep the
flames from spreading southward, as they might if they crossed that
frail passage. We have done what we could; and we cannot be
surrounded as are other houses. The fire can advance but by one
road upon us. I trust the action we have taken will suffice to save
us and others. I would fain be at home to see how matters are going
there. I fear me that the pillar of fire over yonder is the blazing
tower of St. Magnus. If so, the fire is fearfully near the head of
the bridge. God help the poor families who would not consent to the
demolition of their houses for the common weal! I fear me now they
are in danger of losing both houses and goods!"

It was even so, as the Harmers found on reaching their own abode,
which they did by putting across the river to the Southwark side,
to avoid the peril from the burning fragments which were flying all
about the north bank of the river.

The flames, having once leaped Thames Street, were devouring the
houses on the southern side of the street with an astonishing
rapidity; and the river was crowded with wherries, to which the
affrighted people brought such goods as they could hastily lay
hands upon in the terror and confusion. St. Magnus was now burning
furiously, and great flakes of fire were falling pitilessly upon
the houses at the northern end of the bridge. Even as the Harmers
came hurrying up, a shout of fear told them that one of these had
ignited, and the next minute there was no mistaking it. The houses
on both sides of the northern end of the bridge were in flames; and
the people who had somehow trusted that the bridge would, on
account of its more isolated position, escape, were rushing
terrified out of their doors, or were flinging their goods out of
the windows with a recklessness that caused many of them to be
broken to fragments as they reac