Лигейя

           Thewindwasrushinghurriedlybehindthetapestries,andIwishedtoshowher(what,letmeconfessit,Icouldnotallbelieve)thatthosealmostinarticulatebreathings,andthoseverygentlevariationsofthefiguresuponthewall,werebutthenaturaleffectsofthatcustomaryrushingofthewind. Butadeadlypallor,overspreadingherface,hadprovedtomethatmyexertionstoreassureherwouldbefruitless. Sheappearedtobefainting,andnoattendantswerewithincall. Irememberedwherewasdepositedadecanteroflightwinewhichhadbeenorderedbyherphysicians,andhastenedacrossthechambertoprocureit. But,asIsteppedbeneaththelightofthecenser,twocircumstancesofastartlingnatureattractedmyattention. Ihadfeltthatsomepalpablealthoughinvisibleobjecthadpassedlightlybymyperson; andIsawthattherelayuponthegoldencarpet,intheverymiddleoftherichlustrethrownfromthecenser,ashadow—afaint,indefiniteshadowofangelicaspect—suchasmightbefanciedfortheshadowofashade. ButIwaswildwiththeexcitementofanimmoderatedoseofopium,andheededthesethingsbutlittle,norspokeofthemtoRowena. Havingfoundthewine,Irecrossedthechamber,andpouredoutagobletful,whichIheldtothelipsofthefaintinglady. Shehadnowpartiallyrecovered,however,andtookthevesselherself,whileIsankuponanottomannearme,withmyeyesfasteneduponherperson. ItwasthenthatIbecamedistinctlyawareofagentlefootfalluponthecarpet,andnearthecouch; andinasecondthereafter,asRowenawasintheactofraisingthewinetoherlips,Isaw,ormayhavedreamedthatIsaw,fallwithinthegoblet,asiffromsomeinvisiblespringintheatmosphereoftheroom,threeorfourlargedropsofabrilliantandrubycoloredfluid. IfthisIsaw—notsoRowena.