A very short reflection convinced me, in fact, that the excision was not likely to have been Temple's, and that it must have been made by Sir John.
My first intention was to ask him at once what the lost pages had contained, and why they had been cut out.

The matter might be a mere triviality which he could explain in a moment.

But on softly opening his bedroom door I found him sleeping, and Parnham (whom the strong light always burnt in the room rendered more wakeful) informed me that his master had been in a deep sleep for more than an hour.

I knew how sorely his wasted energies needed such repose, and stepped back to the library without awaking him.

A few minutes before, I had been feeling sleepy at the conclusion of my task, but now all wish for sleep was suddenly banished and a painful wakefulness took its place.