where are you in this storm? Mrs. Condiment, mum! if any harm comes
to Capitola this night, I'll have you indicted for manslaughter!"

"Major Warfield, if it is all on Miss Black's account that you are
raving and raging so, I think it is quite vain of you! for any young
woman caught out in a storm would know enough to get into shelter;
especially would Miss Black, who is a young lady of great courage
and presence of mind, as we know. She has surely gone into some
house, to remain until the storm is over," said Mrs. Condiment,
soothingly.

This speech, so well intended, exasperated Old Hurricane more than
all the rest; stopping and striking his cane upon the floor, he
roared forth:

"Hang it, mum! hold your foolish old tongue! You know nothing about
it! Capitola is exposed to more serious dangers than the elements!
Perils of all sorts surround her! She should never, rain or shine,
go out alone! Oh, the little villain! the little wretch! the little
demon! if ever I get her safe in this house again, won't I lock her
up and keep her on bread and water until she learns to behave
herself!"

Here again a blinding flash of lightning, a deafening peal of
thunder, a terrific blast of wind and flood of rain suddenly
arrested his speech.

"Oh, my Cap! my dear Cap! I needn't threaten you! I shall never have
the chance to be cruel to you again--never! You'll perish in this
terrible storm and then--and then my tough old heart will break! It