"But we are afraid, except Selina," said the boy, looking round on the terrified faces. "Selina does not see the lightning. But why are not you afraid?" "`God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble. Therefore shall not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.' No, I am not afraid." "But the lightning might kill you." "Yes, it might kill me." "And yet you are not afraid! Why are you not afraid?" "Because I hope--yes, I believe, that when death shall come to me, it will be as God's messenger, not to hurt, but to take me beyond all reach of hurt for ever and for ever. Truly, my little lad, death is the last thing of which one whom God loves need be afraid." Another cloud was passing, and Hubert's face was hidden in his sister's lap as once more the thunder broke over them. But the worst of the storm was over. There were now longer pauses between the gradually receding peals, and in the silence of one of them Selina asked softly,-- "Frederica, who is he that is not afraid of death?" And Frederica answered in the same tone, "One whom God loves, he says." "And surely He loves us all." Gradually the storm passed over. The servants went away to their duties, and Miss Agnace took the little boys to change their coats, which she only now discovered were quite wet. The girls helped their mother into her room again, and Tessie opened the window. There were clouds heavy and dark still in the sky, but beyond the clouds there was brightness, and the cool sweet air brought refreshment to them all. The stranger stood on the threshold, regarding with grave, compassionate eyes the group which the mother and daughters made. "Mama," said Frederica, answering her mother's look of surprise, "I brought him in because of the rain." "Who is it?" said Selina eagerly. "Is it he whom God loves, and who has no cause to be afraid of death? Frederica, ask him why he is not afraid. And does not God love us all?" "God is our Father. Truly He loves all His children." Drawn by his voice, Selina approached, and took in both hers his outstretched hand. Not once in a hundred times did the blind girl seek to get by the sense of touch a knowledge of strangers. But now she gently passed her hand over his, and over his face, and his soft white hair; and then she drew him gently into the room, and over towards her mother's chair. "Come and tell mama why you are not afraid." "Because `God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' No one need fear death, who has the promise of life everlasting." "No," said Selina. "And have you that promise? And is it for us too? for mama, and all of us?" For answer, the old man repeated the text again, "God so loved the world," and so on to the end. "It is the world He loves; and the promise is to whosoever believeth."