I advanced close to the window and contrived to read the face of my watch.
It was half-past seven; they would not retire before ten, they might not before midnight, and the prospect was unpleasant.

In a lull of the wind I could hear from the inside the voice of Flora reading aloud; the words of course inaudible--only a flow of undecipherable speech, quiet, cordial, colourless, more intimate and winning, more eloquent of her personality, but not less beautiful than song.

And the next moment the clamour of a fresh squall broke out about the cottage; the voice was drowned in its bellowing, and I was glad to retreat from my dangerous post.
For three egregious hours I must now suffer the elements to do their worst upon me, and continue to hold my ground in patience.

I recalled the least fortunate of my services in the field: being out-sentry of the pickets in weather no less vile, sometimes unsuppered and with nothing to look forward to by way of breakfast but musket-balls; and they seemed light in comparison.

So strangely are we built: so much more strong is the love of woman than the mere love of life.
At last my patience was rewarded.