Presently he asked-- "How wrought they to bring the storm ?" "BY PULLING OFF THEIR STOCKINGS, sire." This astonished Tom, and also fired his curiosity to fever heat.

He said, eagerly-- "It is wonderful! Hath it always this dread effect ?" "Always, my liege--at least if the woman desire it, and utter the needful words, either in her mind or with her tongue." Tom turned to the woman, and said with impetuous zeal-- "Exert thy power--I would see a storm!" 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." "Oh, my lord the King, I have it not--I have been falsely accused." "Thy fears stay thee.