The cold was increasing, and the street was becoming insufferable.

Twice he walked away and slowly returned, dragging one foot behind the other, only to walk farther away next time.

It was all over; nothing was left him now, and so he went down the whole length of the boulevard and did not return.
His was a melancholy progress through the streets.

He walked slowly, never changing his pace and simply keeping along the walls of the houses.
His boot heels re-echoed, and he saw nothing but his shadow moving at his side.

As he neared each successive gaslight it grew taller and immediately afterward diminished.