The voice of congratulation woke around her, but ere either could gaze around to look their thanks, or clasp the eagerly proffered hand, a cry of alarm, of horror, ran though the building.

A red, lurid light, impossible to be mistaken, illumined every window, as from a fearful conflagration without; darkness had fled before it.

On all sides it was light--light the most horrible, the most awful, though perchance the most fascinating the eye can behold; fearful shouts and cries, and the rush of many feet, mingled with the now easily distinguished roar of the devouring element, burst confusedly on the ear.

A minute sufficed to fling open the door of the church for knights and men-at-arms to rush forth in one indiscriminate mass.

Sir Christopher would have followed them, utterly regardless of his inability, had not his wife clung to him imploringly, and effectually restrained him.