There was a sudden paling of cheeks in the superstitious assemblage, and a

General, though unexpressed, desire to get out of the place — all of which was

Lost upon Tom, who was dead to everything but the proposed cataclysm.

Seeing a puzzled and astonished look in the woman's face, he added, excitedly:

'Never fear — thou shalt be blameless. More — thou shalt go free — none

shall touch thee. Exert thy power.'

'O, my lord the king, I have it not — I have been falsely accused.'

'Thy fears stay thee. Be of good heart, thou shalt suffer no harm. Make a

Storm — it mattereth not how small a one — I require naught great or

Harmful, but indeed prefer the opposite — do this and thy life is spared —

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thou shalt go out free, with thy child, bearing the king's pardon, and safe from

hurt or malice from any in the realm.'

The woman prostrated herself, and protested, with tears, that she had no

power to do the miracle, else she would gladly win her child's life alone, and

be content to lose her own, if by obedience to the king's command so precious

A grace might be acquired.

Tom urged — the woman still adhered to her declarations. Finally, he said:

'I think the woman hath said true. An’ my mother were in her place and gifted

with the devil's functions, she had not stayed a moment to call her storms and