Page:Francesca Carrara 3.pdf/368

in the last extremity, and tears that soothed the pillow on which they fell. But now death came sudden, dreadful, and strange. The wind howled around their prison-house, the waves clamoured aloud for their prey, and every peal of thunder seemed the signal of destruction. Some tried to pray, but their thoughts were confused, the old familiar words had passed from their mind; some wept hysterical and unnatural tears, that fell for themselves; and some sat on the floor stupid with terror. One, an old man, so old that his shadow rested even on his grave, raved aloud, and reproached the Lord, who had thus deserted his people in their time of need. Near him was another, who held an almost empty flask, and was humming a joyous song, which, from his now serious and staid character, must have been forgotten for many a year; and between the two lay a child fast asleep, the little rosy cheek pillowed upon the arm, half lost in the curls of fair hair. The shocks, which laid the ship almost under the sea, grew less frequent; the thunder, heard at long intervals, now threatened in the atmosphere afar off; when Francesca rose from her knee, and resolved to seek the deck again. The oppression of the cabin was stifling, and Evelyn had left her; she could not bear his absence, and