It was as though an irresistible force were drawing him into the depths of a fathomless whirlpool, down, down, by its endless giddy spirals, robbing him of a portion of his consciousness at every gyration, so that he left behind him at every instant something of his individuality, something of the central faculty of self-recognition.

He felt no pain, but he did not feel that inexpressible delight of peace which already twice had descended upon him.

He experienced a rapid diminution of all perception, of all feeling, of all intelligence.

Thought, and the memory of thought, ebbed from his brain and left it vacant, as the waters of a lock subside when the gates are opened, leaving emptiness in their place.
Unorna's eyes turned from him, and she raised her hand a moment, letting it fall again upon her knee.

Instantly the strong man was restored to himself; his weakness vanished, his sight was clear, his intelligence was awake.