But all this somberness of nature brought comfort and lightness of heart to the besieged.

Paul's spirits rose with the blackness of the night and the wildness of the rain.
"Are you all ready, Paul ?" asked Henry.
"Yes," replied Paul cheerfully.
Accustomed as they were to the darkness of the cabin, they could not see each other's faces now, only the merest outlines of their figures.
"We must keep close together," said Henry.

"It won't do to lose sight of each other." He slipped to the door, lifted the bar and put it soundlessly on one side, and he and Paul stood together in the open space, just a moment, waiting and listening.
The rush of air and raindrops on Paul's face felt wonderfully cool and invigorating.

His chest expanded and his spirits rose to the top.

It was like leaving a prison behind.
"Step more lightly than you ever did before in your life," said Henry, and he and Paul put foot together on mother earth.