I have never learned
scientifically. All I know is what I taught myself.'

The thunder, lightning, and rain had now increased to a terrific
force. The clouds, from which darts, forks, zigzags, and balls of fire
continually sprang, did not appear to be more than a hundred yards above
their heads, and every now and then a flash and a peal made gaps in the
steward's descriptions. He went towards the organ, in the midst of a
volley which seemed to shake the aged house from foundations to chimney.

'You are not going to play now, are you?' said Cytherea uneasily.

'O yes. Why not now?' he said. 'You can't go home, and therefore we may
as well be amused, if you don't mind sitting on this box. The few chairs
I have unpacked are in the other room.'

Without waiting to see whether she sat down or not, he turned to the
organ and began extemporizing a harmony which meandered through every
variety of expression of which the instrument was capable. Presently he
ceased and began searching for some music-book.

'What a splendid flash!' he said, as the lightning again shone in
through the mullioned window, which, of a proportion to suit the whole
extent of the original hall, was much too large for the present room.
The thunder pealed again. Cytherea, in spite of herself, was frightened,
not only at the weather, but at the general unearthly weirdness which
seemed to surround her there.

'I wish I--the lightning wasn't so bright. Do you think it will last
long?' she said timidly.

'It can't last much longer,' he murmured, without turning, running
his fingers again over the keys. 'But this is nothing,' he continued,
suddenly stopping and regarding her. 'It seems brighter because of
the deep shadow under those trees yonder. Don't mind it; now look at
me--look in my face--now.'

He had faced the window, looking fixedly at the sky with his dark strong
eyes. She seemed compelled to do as she was bidden, and looked in the
too-delicately beautiful face.

The flash came; but he did not turn or blink, keeping his eyes fixed as
firmly as before. 'There,' he said, turning to her, 'that's the way to
look at lightning.'

'O, it might have blinded you!' she exclaimed.

'Nonsense--not lightning of this sort--I shouldn't have stared at it
if there had been danger. It is only sheet-lightning now. Now, will you
have another piece? Something from an oratorio this time?'

'No, thank you--I don't want to hear it whilst it thunders so.' But he