e pelting storm. Master Overton was, of course,
to be present, to assist in the services. He had hoped that the mind of
Madam Clough had been somewhat awakened, and he pressed her to accompany
us. Still she refused, when listening at the window, we found that the
rain had ceased. This decided her, and the time having arrived, we set
forth with Master Overton. Guarded from the weather as well as we could
be, we sallied forth two and two, each taking a different road. Aveline
and I had agreed to take the longest one. As we were at some little
distance from the place of meeting, a flash of vivid lightning burst
from the sky, playing along the street, as if seeking for some object to
strike. Immediately afterwards our ears were almost stunned by a loud
rattling peal of thunder, and once again the rain came down with even
more force than before. I led Aveline under a porch, where we stood for
some time watching the rain descending, and the bright flashes of
lightning which came with unusual rapidity from the sky. I prayed that
none of them might strike the fair girl who was beside me. She only
seemed to regret being absent so long from the meeting. Once more the
rain ceased, and hurrying along, we in a short time reached the side
door of the building in which the meeting was being held. I having made
the usual sign, the door was cautiously opened by an unseen porter. The
light of a dim lamp enabled us to find our way upstairs, for no one
appeared. The room was already nearly full, the larger portion of the
people perhaps being Flemings who, even at the risk of their lives, had
thus met together to worship according to their consciences. The
preacher was at his desk, the congregation were engaged in singing in a
low voice one of the hymns of which I have before spoken. It ceased;
when the preacher burst forth into a fervent prayer. He prayed for all
present, but especially that his country might be set free from the
tyranny under which she groaned, and that all might be able to worship
God in the way He desires to be worshipped, in spirit and in truth.
Another hymn was sung, God's Word was read, and then the preacher began
a discourse which for clearness and eloquence I have never heard
surpassed. Every ear was intently listening to the words which dropped
from his lips. Except the breathing of his auditors, not a sound was
heard. Suddenly there was a loud cry: the report of fire-arms--the
trampling of feet