'Wilmet, Wilmet, what is it?'
Then she saw that the room was aglow with red light from the window,
and heard a loud distant hubbub. Hurrying out of bed, she flew to the
window of Cherry's room, and drew up the blind. 'O Wilmet, is it
fire?'
'Yes,' low and awe-struck, said Wilmet. 'Not here. No. There's
nothing to be frightened at Cherry. It is out--out there. I think it
must be the Fortinbras Arms. Oh, what a sight!'
'It is dreadful!' said Cherry, shrinking trembling to the foot of her
little bed, whence she could see the window. 'How plain one can see
everything in the room! Oh! the terrible red glow in the windows! I
wonder if all the people are safe. Wilmet, do call Felix.'
'I will,' said Wilmet, proceeding in search of her clothes; but her
hands shook so that she could hardly put them on. They longed for
Felix as a protection, and yet Cherry could hardly bear to let her
sister go out of sight!
'I only hope Mamma does not hear,' said Wilmet.
'How lucky her room looks out the other way! but, oh! Wilmet, don't
fires spread?'
'Felix, and Mr. Audley will see about us in time, if there is any
fear of that,' said Wilmet trembling a good deal as she wrapped a
shawl round Cherry, who sat in a heap on her bed, gazing fascinated
at the red sky and roofs.
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