"Do you see, sir, down yonder by the river, near London Bridge, that light? It is not the light of the moon. It is a fire. Well, we need not be anxious, fires are frequent; it will be nothing. My Lord Craven will be at his best, he never misses a fire. It is said his horse is so used to take him to fires that he knows the smell of it a long distance off, and will gallop to it as soon as he feels his master's foot in the stirrup."
"I have heard that a fire is a very fascinating sight," said Mr. Ewan. "After all, it is a battle with the elements. But it would not be a good thing to-night, with this east wind blowing."
As they watched that little light they saw that by degrees the sky grew red and strong flames came driving westward. The east wind blew a fierce gale; cries rose up from the streets; there was much rushing about and confusion even in their neighbourhood, though the fire was certainly at a great distance.
"I think we had best go down and see what is happening," said Delarry. "Shall we take you ladies into the house? We shall not be long absent."
"No; we will abide here," said Patience. "It would be intolerable to be below and see nothing."
Indeed, even as she spoke many of the servants came up, anxious also to witness the conflagration.
"You need have no fear," said Delarry, "I am going to the king."
"I wish you would not go," said Ann. "See how the flames are riding, and how quickly they spread!"
"It is my duty to go to the king, Ann," he said, "but I will be back as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Mr. Ewan," he continued, "if the ladies are fearful it would be well to put them into a barge and send them out into the river. You had better see if the barges are in order," he added to the chief steward of the household, "and Peter Kemp, you will help Parson Ewan with the ladies; but there can be no haste, the fire will be cut off in no time."
Even as he spoke these words he looked anxiously at the great flames which kept rising from amidst volumes of smoke.