ellous and splendid
degree. The cloud of thought was thicker than that, if not
quite so brilliant; and it was not until low growls of thunder
began to salute his ear, that he looked up and found the
silver edge fast mounting to the zenith and the curtain
drawing its folds all around over the clear blue sky. His next
look was earthward, for a shelter; for at the rate that
chariot of the storm was travelling he knew he had not many
minutes to seek one before the storm would be upon him.
Happily a blacksmith's shop, that he would certainly have
passed without seeing it, stood at a little distance; and
Winthrop thankfully made for it. He found it deserted; and
secure of a refuge, took his place at the door to watch the
face of things; for though the edge of the town was near, the
storm was nearer, and it would not do to run for it. The
blackness covered everything now, changing to lurid light in
the storm quarter, and big scattered drops began to come
plashing down. This time Winthrop's mind was so much in the
clouds that he did not know what was going on in the earth;
for while he stood looking and gazing, two ladies almost ran
over him. Winthrop's senses came back to the door of the
blacksmith's shop, and the ladies recovered themselves.

"How do you do, Mr. Landholm," said the one, with a bow.

"O Mr. Winthrop!" cried the other, -- "what shall we do? we
can't get home, and I'm so frightened! --"

Winthrop had not time to open his lips, for either civility or
consolation, when a phaeton, coming at a furious rate,
suddenly pulled up before them, and Mr. Satterthwaite jumped
out of it and joined himself to the group. His business was to
persuade Miss Haye to take the empty place in his carriage and
escape with him to the shelter of her own house or his
father's. Miss Haye however preferred getting wet, and walking
through the mud, and being blinded with the lightning, all of
which alternatives Mr. Satterthwaite presented to her; at
least no other conclusion could be drawn, for she very
steadily and coolly refused to ride home with him.

"Mr. Landholm," said Mr. Satterthwaite in desperation, "don't
you advise Miss Haye to agree to my proposition?"

"I never give advice, sir," said Winthrop, "after I see that
people's minds are made up. Perhaps Miss Cadwallader may be
less stubborn."

Mr. Satterthwaite could do no other than turn to Miss
Cadwallader, who wanted very little urging.

"But Rose!" said her cousin, --