It seemed in my whirling thoughts as though all the real things had become shadows--shadows which moved, for they passed the dim outline of the high windows.
Shadows which had sentience.

I even thought there was sound, a faint sound as of the mew of a cat--the rustle of drapery and a metallic clink as of metal faintly touching metal.

I sat as one entranced.

At last I felt, as in nightmare, that this was sleep, and that in the passing of its portals all my will had gone.
All at once my senses were full awake.

A shriek rang in my ears.