But then it was a still frosty night, and such a gust was not to be expected.

He looked out.

Far above shone the stars.
"How they sparkle in the frost!" he said, as if the frost reached them.
But they did look like the essential life that makes snow-flakes and icy spangles everywhere--they were so like them, only they were of fire.

Even snow itself must have fire at the heart of it .-- All was still enough up there.
Then he looked down into the street, full of the comings and goings of people, some sauntering and staring, others hastening along.

Beauchamp was looking in at the window of a second-hand book-shop opposite.
Not being able to compose himself again to his studies, he resolved, as he had not called on Mr Fraser for some time, and the professor had not been at the class that day, to go and inquire after him now.
Mr Fraser lived in the quadrangle of the college; but in the mood Alec was in, nothing would do him so much good as a walk in the frost.