"Now, my dear little girls," said Mr. St. John, rising, "I am going in to get some breakfast, if mother will give me some; you had yours long ago, I know, but I have been out here and not thought much about the time; then I should like to have a big prayer meeting; we must try and get the dear native Christians together—they will need all our love to-day." "Yes, father," said Rachel, "may we go and ask them to come, I should like that," she added, dancing and skipping about. "Ask your mother, darling, she must decide. Christine," he said, as his wife came up, "do you think it would be wise for the children to take round the invitations for the prayer meeting?" "I hardly think so," replied Mrs. St. John. "The village is in the most unsettled state, and there seems to be danger of a general rising." "I must go and find out what it all means," said Mr. St. John, quietly. "Oh, my dear husband, do be careful. Do not run into any danger." "I shall not, my dearest; never fear." He kissed her and the children tenderly. But even as he spoke, he heard in the distance a murmur like the roar of the sea, and there was Seng Mi standing in the doorway with a white, scared face. CHAPTER III. THE RISING IN THE VILLAGE. "Teacher, they are coming—burning, looting, killing!" "Not our people, surely?" said Mr. St. John. "No; but they will join, never fear, when their blood is up; they will forget all your kindness. The lady and the children should retire." "Yes, yes, Christine," said Mr. St. John, hurriedly; "go into the blue room and remain there with the children until I join you; but if I am not able to do so you know what we arranged—put on the Chinese dress, escape through the house, which will bring you out on the road to Wei-hai-wei, and may God bless and be with my dear wife and children." "Paul, a wife’s place is by her husband’s side." "Yes, yes, my dearest, but the children!" "Oh, Paul, I am torn in two. I do not know what to choose. "Darling, you have not to choose, God has chosen for you; only one way lies open." "Yes, but oh, my dear husband—you must let me weep for one moment—to know that we may never meet again, that you may be going to death—even torture!" She lifted her lovely, agonized eyes to his. "It is very, very hard to bear, my dearest; the only thing that makes it possible is the love of Christ; but, Christine," he said, hopefully, "I believe we shall meet again in this world; if not, my darling wife, you will know that I shall be with Christ, and be the first to welcome you to the City of the King. All the paths lead there in the end, do they not?" "Yes, yes, my beloved husband, we shall meet again in glory, even if we may not here. Good-bye, good-bye! Cicely and Rachel, come with me, darlings."