Nevertheless she welcomed the thunder as a diversion.

At least its menace was a physical one--to be guarded against by physical means.
She rose and went over to the French windows.

That flimsy bolt! She parted the curtains and looked out--a flicker of lightning stabbed the night--the storm must be almost upon them.
"Bring some candles, Billy," she said.

"The lights may be going out any moment--and Billy," as he started to leave, "there's a gentleman arriving on the last train.

After he comes you may go to bed.