The serene heaven will then be reflected on a serene country and a happy people; and in those days of sunshine and peace, will any hearts among all the glad population be more joyful than ours ?' She paused a moment.

Some sudden thought or recollection heightened her colour and caused her to hesitate ere she proceeded.

She was about at length to continue, when a peal of thunder, louder than any which had preceded it, burst threateningly over the house and drowned the first accents of her voice.

The wind moaned loudly, the rain splashed against the door, the latch rattled long and sharply in its socket.
Once more Hermanric rose from his seat, and approaching the fire, placed a fresh log of wood upon the dying embers.

His dejection seemed now to communicate itself to Antonina, and as he reseated himself by her side, she did not address him again.
Thoughts, dreary and appalling beyond any that had occupied it before, were rising in the mind of the Goth.