‘Won’t you give me a shillen, sir?’

‘Certainly not.’

’Then will you lend me a shillen, sir?  I be tired out, and don’t know what to do.  If I don’t pay you back some day I’ll be d—­d.’

’The devil is so cheated that perdition isn’t worth a penny as a security.’

‘Oh!’

‘Let me go on,’ said Manston.

‘Thy wife is dead; that’s the rest o’ the news,’ said the labourer slowly.  He waited for a reply; none came.

’She went to the Three Tranters, because she couldn’t get into thy house, the burnen roof fell in upon her before she could be called up, and she’s a cinder, as thou’lt be some day.’

‘That will do, let me drive on,’ said the steward calmly.

Expectation of a concussion may be so intense that its failure strikes the brain with more force than its fulfilment.  The labourer sank back into the ditch.  Such a Cushi could not realize the possibility of such an unmoved David as this.

Manston drove hastily to the turning of the road, tied his horse, and ran on foot to the site of the fire.

The stagnation caused by the awful accident had been passed through, and all hands were helping to remove from the remaining cottage what furniture they could lay hold of; the thatch of the roofs being already on fire.  The Knapwater fire-engine had arrived on the spot, but it was small, and ineffectual.  A group was collected round the rector, who in a coat which had become bespattered, scorched, and torn in his exertions, was directing on one hand the proceedings relative to the removal of goods into the church, and with the other was pointing out the spot on which it was most desirable that the puny engines at their disposal should be made to play.  Every tongue was instantly silent at the sight of Manston’s pale and clear countenance, which contrasted strangely with the grimy and streaming faces of the toiling villagers.

‘Was she burnt?’ he said in a firm though husky voice, and stepping into the illuminated area.  The rector came to him, and took him aside.  ‘Is she burnt?’ repeated Manston.

’She is dead:  but thank God, she was spared the horrid agony of burning,’ the rector said solemnly; ’the roof and gable fell in upon her, and crushed her.  Instant death must have followed.’

‘Why was she here?’ said Manston.

’From what we can hurriedly collect, it seems that she found the door of your house locked, and concluded that you had retired, the fact being that your servant, Mrs. Crickett, had gone out to supper.  She then came back to the inn and went to bed.’

‘Where’s the landlord?’ said Manston.

Mr. Springrove came up, walking feebly, and wrapped in a cloak, and corroborated the evidence given by the rector.

‘Did she look ill, or annoyed, when she came?’ said the steward.

‘I can’t say.  I didn’t see; but I think—­’

‘What do you think?’