"Man may the sterner virtues know, Determined justice, truth severe; But female hearts with pity glow, And women holds affliction dear; For guiltless woes her sorrow flows, And suffering vice compels her tear; 'Tis hers to soothe the ills below, And bid life's fairer views appear. "To woman's gentle kind we owe What comforts and delights us here; They, its gay hopes on youth bestow, And care they soothe, and age they cheer."--Crabbe. That night Grace could not sleep. Had she been any other girl, indeed, there would have been nothing remarkable in that, for the storm was tremendous. But dwellers in lighthouses are so used to storms, that generally they take but little notice of them; and the fact that this storm really sent a thrill of solicitude to the hearts of the Darlings, is enough to convince us that it must have been of an unusually furious nature. On this memorable 6th of September, 1838, when the "Forfarshire" sailed, a fisher boat came from North Sunderland to the Longstone rock, bringing packets and letters for the Darling family. At that time the weather was comparatively fine and the sea calm; and there wore no particular signs to warn them of any material change in the atmosphere. The day passed much as usual, but towards evening heavy masses of clouds collected, and those who were weather-wise knew that it was likely to become tempestuous. These surmises soon became certainties; and presently a tremendous wind arose, and beat around the rocks and the lighthouse that was upon them; and a deluge of rain began to fall. The storm grew worse every half-hour until even the calm spirit of Mr. Darling was perturbed. "Oh, hark at the winds! I do not know when they have blown with so much fury," he said. Mrs. Darling's face was pale, and Grace found it quite impossible even to concentrate her thoughts upon her favourite books, while the tumult raged outside. "I hope it will soon be more quiet," she said. "Nobody could sleep in such a storm as this." "May God have mercy upon the poor fellows at sea tonight," said her father; "for many a one is in great danger because of this gale." "The wind seems to sigh in every cleft of the rocks tonight," said his wife. "I hope we are safe, William." "Our tower will not be blown down," said her husband, smiling away her fears. "I wish all the sailors were as safe as we are." "I am not afraid," said Grace; "but no one can listen to this awful wind without feeling some emotion and awe." "It is, indeed, an awful wind," said Darling, "and one does not care to hear it, though his own home be as firm as a rock." They sat together, scarcely speaking, until a late hour; but as the night advanced, the storm raged yet more furiously. "It seems as if the very spirit of mischief is abroad," remarked Grace. "But as we can do no good by staying up," said her mother, "we had better retire to rest."