“I am rebuked, father,” replied Stephen, humbly; “and entreat your pardon for having ventured to differ with you.  I am now fully sensible of the propriety of your conduct.”

“And I have ever acquiesced in your wishes, be they what they may,” said Mrs. Bloundel to her husband; “but I confess I am dreadfully frightened.  I hope you will remove the first thing to-morrow.”

“When midnight has struck, and the Sabbath is past, I shall commence my preparations,” replied the grocer.  “You must rest content till then.”  Mrs. Bloundel heaved a sigh, but said no more; and the grocer, retiring to a side-table, opened the Bible, and sat down calmly to its perusal.  But though no further remonstrances reached his ears, there was great murmuring in the kitchen on the part of Blaize and Patience.

“Goodness knows what will become of us!” cried the latter.  “I expect we shall all be burnt alive, owing to our master’s obstinacy.  What harm can there be in moving on a Sunday, I should like to know?  I’m sure I’m too much hurried and flurried to say my prayers as I ought to do.”

“And so am I,” replied Blaize.  “Mr. Bloundel is a great deal too particular.  What a dreadful thing it would be if the house should be burnt down, and all my mother’s savings, which were to form a provision for our marriage, lost.”

“That would be terrible, indeed,” cried Patience, with a look of dismay.  “I think the wedding had better take place as soon as the fire is over.  It can’t last many days if it goes on at this rate.”

“You are right,” returned Blaize.  “I have no objection.  I’ll speak to my mother at once.”  And stepping into the scullery, where old Josyna was washing some dishes, he addressed her—­“Mother, I’m sadly afraid this great fire will reach us before our master will allow us to move.  Hadn’t you better let me take care of the money you intended giving me on my marriage with Patience?”

“No, no, myn goed zoon,” replied Josyna, shaking her head—­“I musd zee you married virsd.”

“But I can’t be married to-day,” cried Blaize—­“and there’s no time to lose.  The fire will be upon us directly.”

“I cand help dat,” returned his mother.  “We musd place our drusd in God.”

“There I quite agree with you, mother,” replied Blaize; “but we must also take care of ourselves.  If you won’t give me the money, at least put it in a box to carry off at a moment’s notice.”

“Don’t be afraid, myn zoon,” replied Josyna.  “I wond forged id.”

“I’m sadly afraid you will, though,” muttered Blaize, as he walked away.  “There’s no doing any good with her,” he added to Patience.  “She’s as obstinate as Mr. Bloundel.  I should like to see the fire of all things; but I suppose I musn’t leave the house.”

“Of course not,” replied Patience, pettishly; “at such a time it would be highly improper.  I forbid that.”

“Then I must need submit,” groaned Blaize—­“I can’t even have my own way before marriage.”