I won't be happy to-night for her sake!' A few minutes after this their attention was attracted by a noise of footsteps running along the street; then a heavy tramp of horses, and lumbering of wheels.

Other feet were heard scampering at intervals, and soon somebody ascended the staircase and approached their door.

The head waiter appeared.
'Ma'am, Stancy Castle is all afire!' said the waiter breathlessly.
Somerset jumped up, drew aside the curtains, and stepped into the bow-window.

Right before him rose a blaze.

The window looked upon the street and along the turnpike road to the very hill on which the castle stood, the keep being visible in the daytime above the trees.