Then there came a crash, followed by the sound of flying feet.
She had flung the candlestick out of her hand and was hurriedly crossing the hail.

I thought she was coming my way, and instinctively drew back against the wall.

But she stopped far short of me, and I heard her groping about, then give a sudden spring towards the front door.

It opened and the wind soughed in.

I felt the chill of snow upon my face, and realised the tempest.