Oh, Stephen, if Martha would but
come!'
She rested her head against the casement, sobbing, as though her grief
could not be assuaged. Stephen felt heart-sick with his intense longing
for the arrival of help from Longville, as he watched the progress of
the fire; but at last, after what appeared ages of waiting, they heard a
shout in the distance, and saw a little band of horsemen galloping up to
the burning house.
'They are come from Longville, uncle,' cried Miss Anne. 'You must open
now; there is not a moment to spare. The fire is gaining upon us fast.'
He had seen their approach himself, and now he opened the doors, and
gave the keys to Miss Anne. He had collected all his papers and notes in
one large bundle, which he had clasped in his arms; and as soon as the
crowd swept in through the open doors, he cried aloud to the constable
from Longville to come and guard him. There was very little time for
saving anything out of the house, for before long the flames gathered
such volume and strength as to drive every one out before them; and as
Stephen stood beside the miserable old man, who was shivering in the
bitter night wind, he beheld his dwelling destroyed as suddenly and
entirely as the hut at Fern's Hollow had been.
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