A thunderbolt—a blazing ball of fire—which seemed to fall with a startling roar, and by its own specific weight, struck at the mouth of the cavern, a large tree, a strong and ancient oak, that had stood perhaps for a hundred years, and clashed it to pieces, cleaving it, like a mighty wedge of flame, to the roots in a moment. For a time the sulphureous odour was stifling; but it subsided at last, and with it the terror of my trembling companion.
'We are quite safe, Nicola,' said I, placing an arm gently round her.
'Safe—you think so? Ah! M. Blane, make a sign of the cross, just once—to please me.'
'Mademoiselle, in me it were a mockery,' said I; 'for my forefathers were the first to follow the precepts of the Lollards of Kyle.'
'Then their descendants should make amends, by being the first to follow mine. You deem it, as they did, Popish likely? What matter how you name it, or they named it; for, be assured, it is the sign of Heaven: and I shall make three over you,' said she, waving her pretty hand thrice, in the dark, across my eyes and brow.
'Dearest Nicola!'
'If you press my hand thus, I shall take the liberty of withdrawing it. St. Ephrem says, Look at the little birds, when they stretch out their winglets cross-wise—lo! they straight ascend towards heaven; but when they fold them, they fall panting and breathless down to—where?'
'The earth, I presume.'
'Yes—then think of these things.'
'Dear Nicola, I can think only of you.'