w mother would say it is a
terrible danger one way, and a great gift another. I will not
misuse it; but what will it bring me? Or am I only a rustic beauty
after all, who will be nobody elsewhere?"

Still heartily she wished that her rescuer had been any one else in
the wide world. It was almost uncanny that he should have sprung
out of the earth at such a moment.

CHAPTER XIII: THE BONFIRE

"From Eddystone to Berwick bounds,
From Lynn to Milford Bay,
That time of slumber was as
Bright and busy as the day;
For swift to east and swift to west
The fiery herald sped,
High on St. Michael's Mount it shone:
It shone on Beachy Head."

MACAULAY.

Doctor Woodford and his niece had not long reached their own door
when the clatter of a horse's hoofs was heard, and Charles Archfield
was seen, waving his hat and shouting 'Hurrah!' before he came near
enough to speak,

"Good news, I see!" said the Doctor.

"Good news indeed! Not guilty! Express rode from Westminster Hall
with the news at ten o'clock this morning. All acquitted.
Expresses could hardly get away for the hurrahing of the people.
Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" cried the young man, throwing up his hat,
while Doctor Woodford, taking off his own, gave graver, deeper
thanks that justice was yet in England, that these noble and
honoured confessors were safe, and that the King had been saved from
further injustice and violence to the Church.

"We are to have a bonfire on Portsdown hill," added Charles. "They
will be all round the country, in the Island, and everywhere. My
father is rid one way to spread the tidings, and give orders. I'm
going on into Portsmouth, to see after tar barrels. You'll be
there, sir, and you, Anne?" There was a moment's hesitation after
the day's encounters, but he added, "My mother is going, and my
little Madam, and Lucy. They will call for you in the coach if you
will be at Ryder's cottage at nine o'clock. It will not be dark
enough to light up till ten, so there will be time to get a noble
pile ready. Come, Anne, 'tis Lucy's last chance of seeing you--so
strange as you have made yourself of late."

This plea decided Anne, who had been on the point of declaring that
she should have an excellent view from the top of the keep.
However, not only did she long to see Lucy again, but the enthusiasm
was contagious, and there was an attraction in the centre of popular
rejoicing that drew both her and her uncle, nor