“But forty hours, and this whole city shall be consumed by fire!” shouted a strange-looking man, who, in very scanty attire, was stationed upon the top of the steps, and was declaiming and gesticulating as he addressed a rather frightened-looking crowd beneath him.  “Within forty hours there shall not be left standing one stone upon another in all this mighty edifice.  The hand of the Lord is stretched forth against this evil city, and judgment shall begin at His sanctuary.  Beware, and bewail, and repent in dust and ashes, for the Lord will do a thing this day which will cause the ears of every one who hears it to tingle.  He is coming!  He is coming!  He is coming in clouds and majesty in a flaming fire, even as He appeared on the mount of Sinai!  Be ready to meet Him.  He comes to smite and not to spare!  His chariots of fire are over us already.  They travel apace upon the wings of the wind.  I see them!  I hear them!  They come! they come! they come!”

The fanatic waved his hands in the air with frantic gestures, and pointed eastward.  Certainly there did appear to be a strange murkiness and haze in the air; and was there not a smell as of burning? or was it but the idea suggested by the man’s words?  Janet trembled as she slipped her arm within that of the old porter.

“What does he mean?” she asked nervously.  “The people seem very attentive to hear.  They look affrighted, and some of them seem to tremble.  What does it all mean?”

“I scarce know myself.  I heard men speak of a terrible fire right away in the east that has been burning many hours now.  But sure they cannot fear that it will come nigh to St. Paul’s.  That were madness indeed!  Why, each dry summer, as it comes, brings us plenty of bad fires.  The fellow is but one of those mad fools who love to scare honest folks out of their senses.  Heed him not, mistress.  Belike he knows no more than thou and I. It is his trade to set men trembling.  Let us go home; there is no danger for us.”

Rather consoled by these words, and certainly without any real apprehensions for their personal safety, Janet returned to the house, where she and Dinah passed a quiet day.  Neither of them went out again; and though they spoke sometimes of the fire, and wondered if it had been extinguished, they did not suffer any real anxiety of mind.

“I trust it went not nigh to our homes,” said Janet once or twice.  “I would that one of the boys might come and give us news of them.  But if folks are in trouble over yonder, father is certain to have his hands full.  He will never stand by idle whilst other folks are suffering danger and loss.”

“He is a good man,” answered Dinah, and with her these words stood for much.

Towards nightfall Lord Desborough came in with rather an anxious look upon his face.  His eyes first sought the face of his wife; but seeing her lie in the tranquil sleep which was her best medicine, he was satisfied of her well being, and without putting his usual string of questions he began abruptly to ask of Dinah: