Then click!--he was wide awake and writhing in torment.

It was as if, when he had nearly got to sleep, something had bitten him suddenly and sent him mad.

He sat up and looked at the room in the darkness, his feet doubled under him, perfectly motionless, listening.
He heard a cat somewhere away outside; then the heavy, poised tread of the mother; then Clara's distinct voice: "Will you unfasten my dress ?" There was silence for some time.

At last the mother said: "Now then! aren't you coming up ?" "No, not yet," replied the daughter calmly.
"Oh, very well then! If it's not late enough, stop a bit longer.

Only you needn't come waking me up when I've got to sleep." "I shan't be long," said Clara.
Immediately afterwards Paul heard the mother slowly mounting the stairs.
The candlelight flashed through the cracks in his door.