Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/38

 moment he looked youthful. All the traces of care, sorrow and hardship which the last few years had written upon his features were effaced by this expression of exquisite joy. Raising his eyes and lifting his hands he cried, “O Thou, once crucified and now glorified Redeemer, stand Thou before our eyes, as Thou wast last seen by Thine infant church, with Thy hands extended over Thy people to bless them. Thy children need Thee. As Thy reign upon earth was inaugurated by the murder of little children, so even to this day innocent blood is being shed.”

Hardly were these words uttered, when a lurid glare shone through the windows, and made the entire cellar as light as day. Sounds of confusion, accompanied by the tramp of hurried feet and the echo of many voices, broke upon the stillness. A nameless fear fell upon this little band of disciples.