Great fires were blazing around the cathedral when they
reached it, but no one stopped to notice them, but only hurried
on the faster to gain their point of observation.
Sir Norman just glanced at the magnificent pile - for the old St.
Paul's was even more magnificent than the new, - and then
followed after the rest, through many a gallery, tower, and
spiral staircase till the dome was reached. And there a grand
and mighty spectacle was before him - the whole of London swaying
and heaving in one great sea of fire. From one end to the other,
the city seemed wrapped in sheets of flame, and every street, and
alley, and lane within it shone in a lurid radiance far brighter
than noonday. All along the river fires were gleaming, too; and
the whole sky had turned from black to blood-red crimson. The
streets were alive and swarming - it could scarcely be believed
that the plague-infested city contained half so many people, and
all were unusually hopeful and animated; for it was popularly
believed that these fires would effectually check the pestilence.
But the angry fiat of a Mighty Judge had gone forth, and the
tremendous arm of the destroying angel was not to be stopped by
the puny hand of man.
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