eople.
She would gladly have had Dinah to go also, but saw that the sick
lady could not be left, and that it would not be right to move her
save on urgent necessity; but to go and get a band of eager helpers
to come to the rescue if need be satisfied her entirely, and she
said a joyful farewell to her aunt, promising to send help right
speedily.

Left alone with her patient, Dinah commenced her task of feeding
the lamp of life, and seeking by every means in her power to
prepare the patient for the possible transit. Once she was called
from the room by some commotion without, and found the frightened
servants all huddled together outside the door, uncertain whether
to fly the place altogether or to wait till some one came with
definite news as to the magnitude of the peril. The light in the
sky was terrible. The showers of sparks were falling all round the
houses and the cathedral. The roar of the approaching fire began to
be clearly distinguished above every other sound.

Dinah, who knew that tumult and affright were the worst things
possible for her patient, counselled the cowering maids to make
good their escape at once, since there was nothing to be done in
the house that night, and they were far too frightened to sleep.
All had friends who would give them shelter. And soon the house was
silent and empty, for the men had gone off either to the fire or
out of sheer fright, and Dinah was left quite alone with her
patient.

"What is that noise I hear all the time?" asked Lady Desborough
presently, in a feeble voice. "I feel as though there was something
burning in the room. The air seems thick and heavy. Is it my
fantasy, or do I smell burning? Where is my husband? Is there
something the matter going on?"

"There is a bad fire not very far from here, my lady," answered
Dinah quietly. "My lord has gone to see if it be like to spread,
that he may take such steps as are needful. Be not anxious; we are
safe beneath his care. He will let no hurt come nigh us before he
is back to tell us what we shall do."

A tranquil smile lighted the lady's face at these words. She was in
that state of weakness when the mind is not easily ruffled, and
Dinah's calm face and steady voice were very tranquillizing.

"Ah yes, my good lord will not let hurt come nigh us. We will await
his good pleasure. I trust no poor creatures are in peril? There
will be many to help them I trow?"

"Yes, my lady. I have not heard of lives lost; and m