Finding himself untouched Swithin stretched out his arms towards Lady
Constantine, whose apparel had been seized by the spinning air, nearly
lifting her off her legs. She, too, was as yet unharmed. Each held the
other for a moment, when, fearing that something further would happen,
they took shelter in the staircase.

'Dearest, what an escape!' he said, still holding her.

'What is the accident?' she asked. 'Has the whole top really gone?' 'The dome has been blown off the roof.' As soon as it was practicable he relit the extinguished lantern, and they
emerged again upon the leads, where the extent of the disaster became at
once apparent. Saving the absence of the enclosing hemisphere all
remained the same. The dome, being constructed of wood, was light by
comparison with the rest of the structure, and the wheels which allowed
it horizontal, or, as Swithin expressed it, azimuth motion, denied it a
firm hold upon the walls; so that it had been lifted off them like a
cover from a pot. The equatorial stood in the midst as it had stood
before.

Having executed its grotesque purpose the wind sank to comparative
mildness. Swithin took advantage of this lull by covering up the
instruments with cloths, after which the betrothed couple prepared to go
downstairs.

But the events of the night had not yet fully disclosed themselves. At
this moment there was a sound of footsteps and a knocking at the door
below.