The humming departed from the air.

The window panes, the glass of the bookcase, the tumblers on the table, ceased to rattle and gave off only a tenuous tinkling.
A step was heard on the stair.

Carhaix entered, covered with snow.
"Cristi, boys, it blows!" He shook himself, threw his heavy outer garments on a chair, and extinguished his lantern.

"There were blinding clouds of snow whirling in between the sounding-shutters.

I can hardly see.