I told her to let it alone, but to no purpose, of course.

'Burn it, Fanny!' cried Tom: and _this_ command she hastened to obey.

I sprang to snatch it from the fire, and Tom darted to the door.

'Mary Ann, throw her desk out of the window!' cried he: and my precious desk, containing my letters and papers, my small amount of cash, and all my valuables, was about to be precipitated from the three-storey window.

I flew to rescue it.
Meanwhile Tom had left the room, and was rushing down the stairs, followed by Fanny.