Every few moments, above this continued roar, would come an appalling crash which sounded just above our heads.

The children were screaming with fear, the servants had come into the hall and seemed in a helpless sort of panic.
Sophie was very pale and Mary Leighton clung hysterically to her.
Charlotte Benson was the only one who seemed to be self-possessed enough to have done anything, if there had been anything to do.

But there was not.

All we could do was to try to behave ourselves with fortitude in view of the personal danger, and with composure in view of that of others.

Presently there came a lull in the tempest, and we began to breathe freer; some one went to the door and opened it.