She knew exactly the pressure that would be brought to bear upon her.

Although she had lost some of the pride of her ancestors, she could see the situation from their point of view.

There was a deadlock before her and there appeared to be no way of breaking it.
It was a wild night outside.

The rain beat upon the casement windows of the old castle.

The tempest without seemed fit accompaniment to the tempest within, thought the woman.
A long time she lay thinking, planning, hoping, praying; alike unavailingly.