Final answer:
The simile compares the stillness in the room to the stillness in the air during a lull in a storm, emphasizing the absence of movement and the anticipation of something about to happen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The simile used in the given passage is "The stillness in the room was like the stillness in the air between the heaves of storm."
This simile compares the stillness in the room to the stillness in the air during a lull in a storm. It suggests that both situations are characterized by a calm, quiet, and tense atmosphere. The simile emphasizes the absence of movement and the anticipation of something about to happen.