It is to be burned down to-night, and was to have been last night, but they had other business on their hands.
Pray let me get an answer.' 'My good sir,' returned Mr Haredale, shaking his head, 'my house is burned to the ground.

But heaven forbid that yours should be.

Get your answer.

Be brief, in mercy to me.' 'Now, you hear this, my lord ?'--said the old gentleman, calling up the stairs, to where the skirt of a dressing-gown fluttered on the landing-place.

'Here is a gentleman here, whose house was actually burnt down last night.' 'Dear me, dear me,' replied a testy voice, 'I am very sorry for it, but what am I to do?
I can't build it up again.