Lady Raymond uttered such a scream, that every one hurried into the library, Lord Raymond among them. She had seen a flash of lightning. "Nonsense," said Lord Raymond. "All fancy," said Harriet. "Talking of ghosts," said Mr. Haveloc. "No one else saw it," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick. While they were all speaking, and persuading Lucy that it was impossible, such a crash of thunder burst over the house, as convinced them that her statement was correct. Flash followed flash, and peal rolled hoarsely after peal. Lucy and Harriet were both very much afraid of thunder, it ran in the family. They sat white and trembling, Lucy holding Lord Raymond's hand, and Harriet keeping Mr. Gage standing close to her. Now Lady Raymond was in an interesting state of health, and all the matrons of the party surrounded her, and urged her to take some sal volatile, and go to bed. Lucy consented to the sal volatile, but she would not hear of going to bed--impossible! she never could sleep during a thunder-storm. And it was rather unfortunate that she not only refused to go to bed herself, but would not allow any one else to do so; all the guests must sit round, and bear her company. She suffered herself to be laid upon a sofa, and Lord Raymond was to sit by her side, and hold her hand. She would not ever hear of the officer going home. She said it would be tempting Providence; and was quite miserable till he seated himself in an arm-chair among the others, thinking of the day of Judgment, and wishing he could drown the thought in brandy and cigars. It was a dreadful storm; there were no pauses between the rapid explosions, the intolerable glare of the lightning. Even Mrs. Fitzpatrick sat with white lips. Harriet was crying on Mr. Gage's shoulder; Everard, tired of sitting up, was snoring in an arm-chair. Margaret looked round, wondering at the terror they all seemed to feel. They must be _very_ happy she thought to feel such fear at the remote danger which attends such a scene. She looked involuntarily for Mr. Haveloc, he was not in the room. Still the storm did not abate. George Gage, who had been supporting Harriet for an hour without repining, now looked at his watch. "Twelve o'clock! I say Harriet, would you mind Everard looking after you, while I went to smoke a cigar?" "Oh! hear him--how profane he is!" sobbed Harriet, "to talk of smoking, with that--oh, gracious! that dreadful noise going on!" "Well, I will not if you have any dislike--" "By Jove, I must be off now," said Captain Smithson rising. "No! for Heaven's sake don't be imprudent, Captain Smithson," cried Lucy, looking up, "you will be killed." "And if you are," said Harriet, drying her eyes, "it will never do; for we shall not be able to find another 'father,' by Monday." "No, no, come with me Smithson," said Mr. Gage. "There Harriet. I am sure you don't mind it now, only look at Miss Capel."