ontinued
for more than an hour with unintermitted violence. It then paused; the
thunder rolled off, and the flashes of lightning grew fainter and less
frequent. During the storm Mabel continued on her knees, addressing the
most earnest prayers to the Virgin for her preservation and that of
her grandfather; but the old forester, though evidently much alarmed,
uttered not a single supplication, but remained sitting in his chair
with a sullen, scared look. As the thunder died away, he recovered
his composure, and addressed himself to soothe the fears of his
granddaughter. In this he had partially succeeded, and was urging her
again to seek her couch, when the storm recommenced with fresh fury.
Mabel once more fell on her knees, and the old man resumed his sullen
posture. Another dreadful half-hour, marked by a succession of terrible
peals and vivid flashes, succeeded, when, amidst an awful pause, Mabel
ventured to address her old relative.

"Why do you not pray, grandfather?" she said, regarding him uneasily.
"Sister Anastasia and good Father Anselm always taught me to utter
an Ave and cross myself during a thunderstorm. Why do you not pray,
grandfather?"

"Do not trouble me. I have no fear."

"But your cheeks and lips are blanched," rejoined Mabel; "and I observed
you shudder during that last awful crash. Pray, grandfather, pray!"

"Peace, wench, and mind your own business!" returned the old man
angrily. "The storm will soon be over--it cannot last long in this way."

"The saints preserve us!" cried Mabel, as a tremendous concussion was
heard overhead, followed by a strong sulphureous smell. "The cottage is
struck!"

"It is--it is!" cried Tristram, springing to his feet and rushing forth.

For a few minutes Mabel continued in a state of stupefaction. She then
staggered to the door, and beheld her grandfather occupied with two dark
figures, whom she recognised as Valentine Hagthorne and Morgan Fenwolf,
in extinguishing the flames, which were bursting from the thatched roof
of the hut. Surprise and terror held her silent, and the others were so
busily engaged that they did not notice her.

At last, by their united efforts, the fire was got under without
material damage to the little building, and Mabel retired, expecting her
grandsire to return; but as he did not do so, and as almost instantly
afterwards the plash of oars was heard en the lake, she flew to the
window, and beheld him, by the gleam of the lightning,