The more he tried to think the more confused his thoughts became.

His forehead felt circled with burning iron, his lips were dry and parched, his step faltering as if under the influence of some potent spell.

He called for a light, but his voice sounded in his own ears thick and unnatural, and no one answered.

His aged hosts had retired to rest an hour before, and though they had noticed and drew their own conclusions from his agitated movements, his call was unregarded.

In five minutes more they heard him rush from the house; and anxious as she was to justify all the ways and doings of her handsome lodger, old Juanna was this night compelled to lean to her husband's ominously expressed belief, that no one would voluntarily go forth on such an awful night, save for deeds of evil.
His rapid pace and open path were illumined every alternate minute with, the vivid lightning, and the very excitement of the storm partially removed the incomprehensible sensations under which Stanley labored.