an hour later he was certain of the fact.

sitting in the hall with lady mary he saw the clouds covering the sky. black, ominous, they rolled swiftly up, blown, it would appear, before a strong wind. down below the air was breathless. there was a curious feeling of suspense in the atmosphere.

“there’s going to be a heavy storm,” said lady mary, following the direction of his eyes.

“well, i’m thinking there’ll be a—” he began. and then he stopped. a heavy rumble had broken the stillness.

“it’s coming,” said lady mary. and she got up, crossing to the window.

“glory be to god!” muttered father maloney watching her.

once more came the growl, like the low roar of [pg 324]some angry beast. there was a pause. and then in one sudden flash the gloom of the hall was turned to a blinding white light, a light appalling, terrible. it was followed by a thunderous crash, a crash that shook the whole place, echoing and reverberating in the distance.

lady mary turned a white face from the window.

then came a sound of steps in the gallery overhead, the steps descended the stairs. biddy appeared, white and shaking.

“my lady,” she stammered, “’tis the great oak is struck. i saw it fall from the nursery window. and the child—” she broke off. her face was working.

“tut, tut, tut,” said father maloney.