The cocks were crowing as I awakened; and then were silent; and it appeared to me as if all the world were listening.
After a while--I should say it was ten minutes or thereabouts--I turned over with my face to the wall; and as I did so, I heard a soft step coming up the stairs.

One of the maids, thought I, late abed or early rising, for sickness.

When the steps came to my door they ceased; and a hand was laid upon the latch; and at that I made to move; but could not.
Yet it was not fear that held me there, though it was like a gentle pricking all over me.

Then the latch was lifted, and still I could not move, not even my eyes; and a person came in, and across the floor to my bed.

And even then I could not move nor cry out.