At the same time the gale had opened one of the shutters and banged it to and fro like a wings of a bird of night. Wherever the window had been open and where the glass was shivered the lights were put out.
The prince went over to the window to fasten the broken shutter, but his wife held him back.
"Oh, pray, do not open that window, for the lights will be blown out, and I should die of fright."
He stopped. Through the casement beyond the curtain which he had drawn the tree tops of the park were visible, swayed from side to side as if some unseen giant were waving them by the stems. All the illuminations were extinguished.
Then could be seen on the dark sky still blacker clouds, coming on with a rolling motion like troops of cavalry wrapped in dust.
The pallid prince stood with one hand on the sash-handle. The bride sank on a chair, with a sigh.
"You are very much alarmed, madame?"
"Yes, though your presence supports me. Oh, what a storm! all the pretty lights are put out."
"Yes, it is a southwest wind, always the worst for storms. If it holds out, I do not know how they will be able to set off the fireworks."
"What would be the use of them? Everybody will be out of the gardens in such weather."