ther in an agony of uncertainty and
fear. "Have you heard news of the bridge? Oh, say it is not burned!
They all talk of the east, but what does that mean? Who can tell me
if my father's house has escaped?"

Lord Desborough was a very kindly man, and the distress of the girl
touched him.

"I will go forth and ask news of all who have been thither to see,"
he answered. "Many have gone both by land and water to see the
great sight. I would go likewise, save that I fear to leave my
wife. But, at least, I will seek all the news I can get, and come
again to you."

The master of the house went forth, and the two anxious watchers,
after a long look at their patient to satisfy themselves that she
was sleeping peacefully, and not likely to wake suddenly, crept
silently into an adjoining room, where a large window looking
eastward enabled them to see in the sky that strange and terrible
glow, which was so bright and fierce as darkness fell that they
were appalled in beholding it spreading and brightening in the sky.

"Good lack, what a terrible fire it must be!" cried Janet, wringing
her hands together. "O good aunt, what can resist the oncoming fury
of such a fearful conflagration? Would that I knew my father's
house was safe. But, at least, those within must have had warning,
and they could with ease escape by water if even the streets were
in flames. Alack, this poor city! It does indeed seem as though the
vials of God's wrath were being poured out upon it! Will His hand
be stayed till all is destroyed? Surely the hearts of men must turn
back to Him in these days of dire calamity!"

Dinah gravely shook her head, her face lighted up by the
ever-increasing light in the eastern sky, which grew brighter and
brighter with the gathering shades of night.

"Methought in those terrible days of the plague that surely men's
hearts would, for the future, be set upon higher things, seeing how
they had learned by fearful experience that man's life is but a
vapour that the wind carrieth away. But as soon as the pressing
peril abated, they hardened their hearts, and turned hack to their
evil ways. It may be that even this warning will be lost upon them.
God alone knows how many will see His hand in this great judgment,
and will turn to Him in fear if not in love!"

Before many minutes had passed affrighted servants began peeping
and then crowding into the room, as though they felt more assurance
in presence of Dinah's quiet steadfas