She advised the maidens to go to bed and not think any more about it.

Let them commend themselves to God and seek to sleep.

She would undertake to watch, and to rouse them up should there be any need during the night.
Somewhat appeased and comforted by these words, the maids withdrew and sought their needed rest.

But Janet and Dinah returned to the sickroom, resolved to keep vigil there, and only to sleep by turns upon the couch, ready dressed in case of emergency.
It was nigh upon midnight before Lord Desborough returned, and he was so blackened and begrimed that they scarcely knew him.
His wife was still sleeping the sleep of exhausted nature, and, after one glance at her, the young nobleman turned towards Janet, who was quivering all over in her anxiety to hear the news.
"Well, maiden, thy father's house is safe, and half the bridge is safe; and the thanks of that are due to him and to a worthy neighbour, who by their wise exertions stayed the fire, which might else have spread even to the other side of the river." Janet and Dinah exchanged looks of unspeakable relief, and Lord Desborough continued in the same cautious undertone: "Once out of doors, the fire fever quickly got its hold on me, even as it has gotten hold upon almost every person in the city.

I had not meant to go far but I took a wherry, and, the tide serving well, I was swiftly borne along towards the bridge, and from the river I saw the raging of such a fire as, methinks, the world has never seen before.