Page 136 (1/2)

"There! I am up now; but at your peril you fetch a candle yet:

wait two arown Now run!"

I did run; I brought the candle which still reallery

He took it from my hand, held it up, and surveyed the bed, all

blackened and scorched, the sheets drenched, the carpet round

swi in water

"What is it? and who did it?" he asked I briefly related to hih I had heard in the gallery:

the step ascending to the third storey; the smoke,--the smell of

fire which had conducted me to his room; in what state I had found

ed him with all the water I could

lay hands on

He listened very gravely; his face, as I went on, expressed more

concern than astonishment; he did not immediately speak when I had

concluded

"Shall I call Mrs Fairfax?" I asked

"Mrs Fairfax? No; what the deuce would you call her for? What can

she do? Let her sleep unmolested"