"We must go at once."

"A minute more, just a minute, Nicholas."

"Nay," he replied, "we must not linger any more."

"Go, then, I will follow thee," said Dorothy, and taking her at
her word the father bowed himself low before the little altar and
departed.

"Not yet," said Manners, "you cannot yet! Doll, it must come to this,
and why not do it now?"

"Nay, nay, John, ask me not. I cannot, I cannot do it. Adieu, we shall
meet again soon, trust me till then"; and giving him a farewell kiss,
she left him alone and hastened into the Hall.




CHAPTER XXIX.

THE ANGELS OF LIFE AND DEATH.

He said no more,
For at that instant flashed the glare,
And with a hoarse, infernal roar,
A blaze went up and filled the air!
Rafters, and stones, and bodies rose
In one quick gush of blinding flame,