"Allow me to congratulate you on Sir Richard's escape, Miss Rawcliffe," said Beppy. "Papa sent a warning letter to him, as no doubt you know, but Sir Richard did not receive it in time to avoid the arrest. How courageously Mr. Atherton Legh seems to have behaved on the occasion." "Yes, papa owes his deliverance entirely to Mr. Legh," rejoined Constance. "We have good reason to feel grateful to him." "'Tis perhaps a superfluous offer," said Beppy. "But since Sir Richard has been compelled to fly, can we be of any service to you? Our house is roomy, and we can accommodate you without the slightest inconvenience." "You are extremely kind," said Constance. "I shall probably remain at the inn; but if I do move, it will be to my Aunt Butler's." "Yes, mamma would be hurt if my Cousin Constance did not come to her," interposed Monica. "We are going to her presently. She is out of the way of these disturbances, and has probably never heard of them." "Your mamma, I believe, is a great invalid, Miss Butler?" remarked Beppy. "I have heard Dr. Deacon speak of her." "Yes, she rarely leaves the house. But she has a most capital nurse--so that I can leave her without the slightest apprehension." "That is fortunate," said Beppy. "I hope you will soon have good tidings of Sir Richard, Miss Rawcliffe?" "I don't expect to hear anything of him till he re-appears with the prince," replied Constance, in a low tone. "I am under no alarm about him." "Well, perhaps, the person in greatest jeopardy is Atherton Legh," said Beppy. "I should like to feel quite sure he is safe." "Then take the assurance from me, Miss Byrom," observed Jemmy. "Do tell me where he is?" she asked. "He has taken refuge with Tom Syddall," was the reply, in an undertone. "She takes a deep interest in him," thought Constance. 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.