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Rh heed to it, love, than to the blustering of a storm towards spring, and go on quietly with the book.”

Margery was once more applying herself with all diligence to the exact line and word, when suddenly there came three such thundering blows against the window shutters, that the fine old vellum book slipped out of her hand, and she hid her face in the cushion of the arm chair, which rattled, along with all the furniture in the room.

But not so the worthy head master; for hastening close under the window, he exclaimed in the same strong clear tone in which he gave the word of command, when serving à la militaire, in his youth; “Who has the boldness to disturb a free citizen in his own house? Let the wanton young blade give his name from the outside, and we shall soon see if he be as valiant as he would make us believe. As to this house, let him know it is the residence of Head Master Rhenfried—Philibert Rhenfried, President of the Honourable Joiners’ Company, belonging to this town and country. What say ye?”

A low anxious wailing was heard on the outside, very strongly distinguished through all the violent mirth and uproar of the collegians, and gradually dying away along with the same in the distance.

“What was that?” enquired both the grandfather and the child at the same moment, with a look of surprize.