It means that the earth has left its orbit--that we are wandering--wandering in space--like a dismasted vessel! We are tossed this way and that, sometimes nearer to the stars--and sometimes further away.

That is why they are first smaller--and then larger.

But the crash must come at last--death for the world--death for us all--' Her hands fell to her side, the left hand always tightly closed--her head drooped; her voice, which had been till now hoarse and parched as though it came from a throat burnt with fever, took a deep dirge-like note.
Noiselessly Lucy raised herself--she measured the distance between herself and the door--between the mad woman and the door.

Oh God!--was the door locked?
Her eyes strained through the darkness.

How deep her sleep must have been that she had heard no sound of its yielding! Her hand was ready to throw off the shawl that covered her, when she was startled by a laugh--a laugh vile and cruel that seemed to come from a new presence--another being.