But, now she starts, her bosom heaves as if something troubled her. Again, she sleeps--but only to start again--her hand unclasps, she turns as if in pain--then, leaping to her feet--she suddenly stands before him--yet scarcely roused from the dream which had awakened her. Light, brighter than the moon, and more glowing than the sunshine, streamed in upon the room, and rendered the stranger's face clearly visible; Mabel's eyes fixed upon him with something between terror and surprise; she tried to speak, but her lips trembled so convulsively, that she could not utter a sound--she tried to advance, but she felt that his eye quelled every movement; and what did that dark look mean, with which he regarded her; and why, as it grew more dark, did Mabel's form become more erect, while her lips curled, her cheeks flushed crimson, and her eye also fixed on his, flashed with a fiery pride, which but seldom showed itself upon her face. Yet, this was but for a moment, for the stranger taking the cloak which he had brought for the purpose, he threw it round her, and raising her almost from the ground with the rapidity of his movements, he hurried her from the room, and down the stairs. When they reached the garden, he loosened his hold, and suffered the cloak, which had entirely covered her face and head, to fall back. Mabel looked wildly round; a busy crowd was about the house; the sickly smell of fire was in the air, and, as she gazed back, she saw flames bursting from the lower windows of their cottage. In an instant she had freed herself, and springing past him with a wild cry of terror and agony, she entered the house, and through the smoke and sparks scattered about her, she was once again by Amy's side, who was awake, and greatly terrified; and, as Mabel threw herself upon her knees beside her, she cried:-- "Do not leave me, Mabel dear--I shall die if you do." "Leave you, my darling," cried Mabel, "nothing but death shall part us." "If you had waited but a moment, I would have brought her to you," said the stranger. "Oh, why did you think of me first," cried Mabel. "'Twas wrong, perhaps," said the stranger; "but it made only the difference of a few moments. Come, my child," said he, stooping to lift her from her couch. "No, no," said Mabel, "you must take couch and all. Oh!" said she, wringing her hands, "will no one come and help you?" "I am not afraid of fire," said a gruff voice, and Martin entered; "I'll help, but you must make haste." "But my Mamma, where is she?" exclaimed Mabel. "She is safe, and the two servants are with her." "Oh then, dear Amy, let us go to them," she said; and, in a quick but concise manner, she explained how the springs of the couch might be altered, so as to render the carriage of it more easy.