By half-past one, when the storm was already somewhat past its height, the Doctor was awakened from a troubled slumber, and sat up.

A noise still rang in his ears, but whether of this world or the world of dreams he was not certain.

Another clap of wind followed.

It was accompanied by a sickening movement of the whole house, and in the subsequent lull Desprez could hear the tiles pouring like a cataract into the loft above his head.

He plucked Anastasie bodily out of bed.
'Run!' he cried, thrusting some wearing apparel into her hands; 'the house is falling! To the garden!' She did not pause to be twice bidden; she was down the stair in an instant.