Chains Chapter 31 Summary

Saturday, September 21—Sunday, September 22, 1776

  • Outside, the fire burns with such intensity that Isabel thinks it looks like daylight. From the window, she sees that Lady Seymour's house, as well as every house visible to her eyes, is engulfed in flames. Isabel panics, grabs Ruth's doll, and runs to Lady Seymour's room to wake her. 
  • Apparently, though, Lady Seymour doesn't understand the urgency with which fire burns, so rather than let Isabel help her downstairs, she starts rifling through an old trunk for her possessions. She finally hands Isabel a portrait of a man with blonde hair and a stack of old letters and allows Isabel to help her out of the room.
  • On their way downstairs, the ceiling gives in from the fire and Lady Seymour is knocked unconscious. Isabel drags her out of the house and a safe distance from the fire, and then they make their way to the Lockton house. Isabel has saved Lady Seymour's picture and letters, but Ruth's doll is lost in the blaze.