"It is a natural dread, and therefore not to be laughed at," answered Charles mildly. "Then there is natural fear, but no natural love, Mr. Charles; now you are finely caught," cried Julia exultingly. "Well, be it so. With me fear is very natural, and I can almost persuade myself love also." "I hope you are not a coward, Charles Weston. A cowardly man is very despicable. I could never love a cowardly man," said Julia, laughing. "I don't know whether I am what you call a coward," said Charles gravely; "but when in danger I am always afraid." The words were hardly uttered before a flash of lightning, followed instantly by a tremendously heavy clap of thunder, nearly stupified them both. The suddenness of the shock had, for a moment, paralyzed the energy of the youth, while Julia was nearly insensible. Soon recovering himself, however, Charles drew her after him into the house, in time to escape a torrent of rain. The storm was soon over, and their natural fear and surprise were a source of mirth for Julia. Women are seldom ashamed of their fears, for their fright is thought to be feminine and attractive; but men are less easy under the imputation of terror, as it is thought to indicate an absence of manly qualities. "Oh! you will never make a hero, Charles," cried Julia, laughing heartily. "It is well you chose the law instead of the army as a profession." "I don't know," said the youth, a little nettled, "I think I could muster courage to face a bullet." "But remember, that you shut your eyes, and bent nearly double at the flash--now you owned all this yourself." "At least he was candid, and acknowledged his infirmities," said Miss Emmerson, who had been listening. "I think most men would have done as I did, at so heavy and so sudden a clap of thunder, and so very near too," said Charles, striving to conceal the uneasiness he felt. "When apprehension for Julia must have increased your terror," said the aunt kindly. "Why, no--I rather believe I thought only of myself at the moment," returned Charles; "but then, Julia, you must do me the justice to say, that instantly I thought of the danger of your taking cold and drew you into the house." "Oh! you ran from another clap," said Julia, laughing till her dark eyes flashed with pleasure, and shaking her head until her glossy hair fell in ringlets over her shoulders; "you will never make a hero, Charles." "Do you know any one who would have behaved better, Miss Warren?" said the young man angrily. "Yes--why--I don't know. Yes, I have heard of such an one, I think," answered Julia, slightly colouring; "but, dear Charles, excuse my laughter," she continued, holding out her hand; "if you are not a hero, you are very, very, good." But Charles Weston, at the moment, would rather be thought a hero than very, very, good; he, therefore, rose, and affecting a smile, endeavoured to say something trifling as he retired.