" At that moment the wind, as it were, surmounting all obstacles, sent the snow flying from the carriage roofs, and clanked some sheet of iron it had torn off, while the hoarse whistle of the engine roared in front, plaintively and gloomily.

All the awfulness of the storm seemed to her more splendid now.

He had said what her soul longed to hear, though she feared it with her reason.

She made no answer, and in her face he saw conflict.

"Forgive me, if you dislike what I said," he said humbly.