* * * * *
Flurries of snow beat on windows, and draughts stirred the hot ashes in the braziers and sent the smoke from them in odd spirals about the chamber. It had become perishing cold, and the monkey among the bedclothes whimpered and snuggled closer into his nest.There seemed to be a great stir about the house-door.Loud voices were heard in gusts, and a sound like a woman's cry. The head on the pillow was raised to listen.