"The factory is on fire!" I exclaimed.

Then my mother wrung her hands, crying, "Oh, my husband! you are ruined,
perhaps sacrificed! I must go in quest of thee, and leave my son with a
faithful friend."

Then she hastened off towards the factory, and I could not blame her
nor wonder at her, though my heart misgave me that she might fall into
mischief.

Madeleine's support was insufficient for me now; but I set my teeth like
a flint, and commanded the pain I was in every time I set foot to the
ground. Was it not alleviation enough to have her dear arm for my stay,
and her tender hand wiping from my brow the drops forced forth by my
suffering?

Then we came to some steps. These gave me much trouble to descend,
especially as we were so nearly in the dark, but Madeleine seemed to
know them pretty well.

"I have often been here already," whispered she, "only not after dark,
and have laid in stores of many things necessary for our subsistence."

We were now groping along a chill stone passage, and were presently
brought up by a wall right in front, against which we violently hit
our heads.

"I fear I have missed the way," said Madeleine, in alarm. "Hark! I hear
the children laughing. Nothing damps the spirits at their age."