Edward, after a time, descended the ladder to walk in the
yard, that by exercise he might recover the use of his limbs. At last,
turning to and fro, he cast his eyes up to the window of the bedroom
above the kitchen, where he perceived a light was still burning. He
thought it was Phoebe, the maid, going to bed; and with no very
gracious feelings toward her for having deprived him of his own
night's rest, he was wishing that she might have the toothache or
something else to keep her awake, when suddenly through the white
window curtain he perceived a broad light in the room--it increased
every moment--and he saw the figure of a female rush past it, and
attempt to open the window--the drawing of the curtains showed him
that the room was on fire. A moment's thought, and he ran for the
ladder by which he had ascended to the loft, and placed it against the
window. The flames were less bright, and he could not see the female
who had been at the window when lie went for the ladder. He ascended
quickly, and burst open the casement--the smoke poured out in such
volumes that it neatly suffocated him, but he went in; and as soon as
he was inside, he stumbled against the body of the person who had
attempted to open the window, but who had fallen down senseless.
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