The night was profoundly dark, and the path they had taken, being shaded by large trees, was scarcely discernible.
Carefully guiding Viviana, who leaned on him for support, the young merchant proceeded at a slow pace, and with the utmost caution.
Suddenly, they were surprised and alarmed by a vivid blaze of light bursting through the trees on the left.
"Some building must be on fire!" exclaimed Viviana.
"It is Ordsall Hall,--it is your father's residence," cried Humphrey Chetham.
"It is the work of that accursed pursuivant, I will be sworn," said Guy Fawkes.
"If it be so, may Heaven's fire consume him!" rejoined Oldcorne.
"Alas! alas!" cried Viviana, bursting into tears, "I thought myself equal to every calamity; but this new stroke of fate is more than I can bear." As she spoke, the conflagration evidently increased.

The sky was illumined by the red reflection of the flames; and as the party hurried forward to a rising ground, whence a better view could be obtained of the spectacle, they saw the dark walls of the ancient mansion apparently wrapped in the devouring element.
"Let us hasten thither," cried Viviana, distractedly.
"I and Guy Fawkes will fly there," replied the young merchant, "and render all the assistance in our power.

But, first, let me convey you to the cave." More dead than alive, Viviana suffered herself to be borne in that direction.

Making his way over every impediment, Chetham soon reached the excavation; and depositing his lovely burthen upon the stone couch, and leaving her in charge of the priest, he hurried with Guy Fawkes towards the Hall.
On arriving at the termination of the avenue, they found, to their great relief, that it was not the main structure, but an outbuilding which was in flames, and from its situation the young merchant conceived it to be the stables.

As soon as they made this discovery, they slackened their pace, being apprehensive, from the shouts and other sounds that reached them, that some hostile party might be among the assemblage.