CHAPTER I. Oh, give me comfort, if you can! Oh, tell me where to fly ! Oh, tell me if there can be hope, SOUTHEY. THE grey dawn was slowly and faintly breaking, with the calm, dull light of a winter's morning. The stormy wind had sunk to rest, the fire, no longer fanned by its heavy gusts, had nearly abated, and what more was required to extinguish it, was afforded by the arrival of the fire engine, which had been forwarded with the usual promptitude, though from the distance it had to travel, it arrived too late to be of any effectual service. Mrs. Lesly's house had been the last to take VOL. II. B |