“The poor lad!” said one of the men “he's nearly roasted. See here how the clothes have been burned away from his neck! Can't ye stop the blood? The mon'll die afore the amb'lance comes ef we don't stop the blood. A brave mon he is, too. D'ye see 'im coming down the stairs with th' other one on his back?” Of whom were they talking? I struggled to my feet--I could feel no pain now--and bent over that still form which had been lying beside me. Oh! it was the heaven-blessed face of Rayel, now bleeding and scarred and ghastly. I raised his head. The hair fell away where my hand touched it, and a groan escaped his lips. I could not speak nor weep nor utter any sound. A strange calmness came over my spirit and I sat there motionless, bending over him I loved so well, while the crowd of men looked on in silence. “After His own image made He man;” these words came to my mind as I looked into that dear face. Then I prayed in silence--for him. Thank God! his eyes were open now and his lips were moving. I bent lower until I could feel his breath upon my cheek. “Is it you, Kendric?” he whispered. “Did I save you from the fire? I cannot see you, but I know you are here.” I heard his words distinctly, but I could not answer. The power of speech seemed to have left me. “The fire awoke me,” he continued, moaning. “We were lying on the floor. I called to you, but you did not answer. Thank God! you are safe now.” Returning consciousness brought with it an increasing sense of his pain, and he began to struggle and groan in dreadful agony. Suddenly, extending one of his blackened hands until it touched my face, he shouted in a loud voice: “Kendric! Kendric! help--help me!” Then some men laid hold of me and lifted me up. I clung to Rayel with all my strength, but could not resist them, and as I was borne away I knew that Rayel and I had parted forever. CHAPTER XVII After that midnight parting the first thing I can recall was the touch of a gentle hand upon my face. When my eyes opened I saw Hester bending over me. “You are at home now, Kendric,” said she. Such a feeling of weakness came over me that I could not speak. I thought a nail had been driven into my brain, but the tears that began rolling down my cheeks and the moans that broke from my lips seemed to loosen it. Many days passed before I was able to reflect upon this last tragic episode in my life or to take any thought of the morrow. One evening I awoke from a deep sleep feeling a new interest in life. There were people sitting in the room and talking in low tones. “Has he asked for Rayel yet?” said one of them. “Not yet,” was the answer. “Better not let him know about it yet. There's time enough. He'll be around soon.” I called to them and they came quickly to my bedside. There were Hester and Mr. Earl and his good wife, all looking down upon me with smiling faces. “You need not be afraid to tell me now. I know that Rayel is dead.” They made no answer.