Thus they sat, and thought of past times. Sweetly sang the golden oriole in the neighbouring beech forest. But it gradually became silent, for the air had become very sultry; a storm was approaching. There was a vivid flash of lightning, and a tremendous peal of thunder. The children hastened to bring their old parents into the house. But when Felix Fulvius Liuthari, hurrying in advance of the others, reached them, he found them both dead. A flash of lightning had killed them both. They still held each other hand in hand, and smiled, as if to say: "Death, which comes thus, is no misfortune, but a blessing." THE END. CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.