Her swift and dipping motion that had gained her
the name of "Lapwing" now served her well. Shooting her bright head
forward and downward, she fled through all the passages and down all the
stairs and out by the great hall, that was all in flames, until she
reached the lawn, where the panic-stricken and nearly idiotic household
were assembled, weeping, moaning and wringing their hands, while they
gazed upon the work of destruction before them in impotent despair!
Jacquelina looked all around the group, each figure of which glared
redly in the light of the flames. All were present--all but the
commodore! Where could the commodore be?
Jacquelina ran through the crowd looking for him in all directions. He
was nowhere visible, though the whole area was lighted up, even to the
edge of the forest, every tree and branch and twig and leaf of which was
distinctly revealed in the strong, red glare.
"Where is uncle? Oh! where is uncle?" she exclaimed, running wildly
about, and finally going up to Mrs. Waugh, who stood looking, the statue
of consternation.
Jacquelina shook her by the arm.
"Aunty! aunty! Where is uncle? Are you bewitched? Where is uncle?"
"Where? Here, somewhere. I saw him run out before me.
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