The two clergymen, who were no other than Mr. Nichols and Mr. Lewthwaite, and who had stood aside during this discourse, now came forward, and were presented to Miss Rawcliffe.
The conversation then became general, and was proceeding pleasantly enough, when a very alarming sound put a sudden stop to it.
It was a fire-bell. And the clangour evidently came from the tower of the collegiate church.
The conversation instantly ceased, as we have said, and those who had been engaged in it glanced at each other uneasily.
"Heaven preserve us!" ejaculated Mr. Lewthwaite. "With how many plagues is this unfortunate town to be visited? Are we to have a conflagration in addition to the other calamities by which we are menaced?"
Meantime, the clangour increased in violence, and shouts of "Fire! fire!" resounded in all directions.
But the alarm of the party was considerably heightened when another fire-bell began to ring—this time close to them.
From the tower of St. Ann's Church the warning sounds now came—stunning and terrifying those who listened to them; and bringing forth many of the occupants of the houses in the square.
"It must be a great fire!—perhaps the work of an incendiary!" cried Mr. Nichols. "I will not attribute the mischief to Jacobite plotters, but I fear it will turn out that they are the instigators of it."
"It looks suspicious, I must own," remarked Mr. Lewthwaite.