I thought of my precious volume, and the name on the title-page. That book might have been in the library of Moldwarp Hall. If so, how had it strayed into my possession--alone, yet more to me than all that was left behind? We betook ourselves to the library. The visitors expressed themselves astonished at its extent, and the wealth which even a glance revealed--for I took care to guide their notice to its richest veins. ‘When it is once arranged,’ I said, ‘I fancy there will be few private libraries to stand a comparison with it--I am thinking of old English literature, and old editions: there is not a single volume of the present century in it, so far as I know.’ I had had a few old sconces fixed here and there, but as yet there were no means of really lighting the rooms. Hence, when a great flash of lightning broke from a cloud that hung over the park right in front of the windows, it flooded them with a dazzling splendour. I went to find Charley, for the library was the best place to see the lightning from. As I entered the drawing-room, a tremendous peal of thunder burst over the house, causing so much consternation amongst the ladies, that, for the sake of company, they all followed to the library. Clara seemed more frightened than any. Mary was perfectly calm. Charley was much excited. The storm grew in violence. We saw the lightning strike a tree which stood alone a few hundred yards from the house. When the next flash came, half of one side seemed torn away. The wind rose, first in fierce gusts, then into a tempest, and the rain poured in torrents. ‘None of you can go home to-night, ladies,’ said Sir Giles. ‘You must make up your minds to stop where you are. Few horses would face such a storm as that.’ ‘It would be to tax your hospitality too grievously, Sir Giles,’ said Mr Alderforge. ‘I dare say it will clear up by-and-by, or at least moderate sufficiently to let us get home.’ ‘I don’t think there’s much chance of that,’ returned Sir Giles. ‘The barometer has been steadily falling for the last three days. My dear, you had better give your orders at once.’ ‘You had better stop, Charley,’ I said. ‘I won’t if you go,’ he returned. Clara was beside. ‘You must not think of going,’ she said. Whether she spoke to him or me I did not know, but as Charley made no answer-- ‘I cannot stop without being asked,’ I said, ‘and it is not likely that any one will take the trouble to ask me.’ The storm increased. At the request of the ladies, the gentlemen left the library and accompanied them to the drawing-room for tea. Our hostess asked Clara to sing, but she was too frightened to comply. ‘You will sing, Mary, if Lady Brotherton asks you, I know,’ said Mrs Osborne. ‘Do, my dear,’ said Lady Brotherton; and Mary at once complied.