Darknefs and Light. ~~ 117

put his young arms round her neck, and almoft
wondered why fhe fobbed fo bitterly ; but he felt
he muft not fpeak.

There was a painful paufe. Suddenly, how-
ever, a f{trange faint light began to creep into the
room, which had hitherto been gradually darken-
ing in the twilight. It was a myfterious gleam,
like nothing that is ever feen. It increafed in
ftrength and brilliancy, till at length the whole
place became illuminated.

Roderick’s head was againft his Mother’s
breaft ; and, befides, be could not fee.

She, however, fuddenly ftarted up; the light
had become fo powerful, it had forced her from
her grief. She fprung up in terror, and a faint
fhriek burft from her lips.

‘¢ Mamma, what is the matter ?”? cried Roder-
ick, holding her faft.

“¢ Oh, the light—the light, my child! there is
fuch a light !”” anfwered Madeline.

‘© Mother, you are not afraid of Light!” ex-
claimed the bewildered Roderick. |

© Oh, but this light! it is like no other ;—it is
awful !”

“* Mother,—it is not the light of Fire, is it,”
cried poor Roderick, now at laft turning pale.
“‘ But even if it is, remember that I can help you
now ; I can go everywhere,—all over, and fear
nothing. I can go and fetch my brothers and
fifters, one by one! Oh, fend me; fend me,