What is all this smell of fire?
Surely they have not burnt the place ?" "Yes, uncle," sobbed Bessie, "they have." Silas groaned aloud.

"It took me ten years to build, bit by bit, almost stone by stone, and now they have destroyed it.

Well, why not?
God's will be done.

Give me your arm, love; I want to get to the water.

I feel faint and sick." She did as he bade her, sobbing bitterly.