"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.