Кармілла
A Very Strange Agony
Inthemorningshenevercamedownuntillongafterourfamilyprayerswereover,andatnightsheneverleftthedrawingroomtoattendourbriefeveningprayersinthehall.
Ifithadnotbeenthatithadcasuallycomeoutinoneofourcarelesstalksthatshehadbeenbaptised,IshouldhavedoubtedherbeingaChristian.ReligionwasasubjectonwhichIhadneverheardherspeakaword.IfIhadknowntheworldbetter,thisparticularneglectorantipathywouldnothavesomuchsurprisedme.
Theprecautionsofnervouspeopleareinfectious,andpersonsofaliketemperamentareprettysure,afteratime,toimitatethem.IhadadoptedCarmilla’shabitoflockingherbedroomdoor,havingtakenintomyheadallherwhimsicalalarmsaboutmidnightinvadersandprowlingassassins.Ihadalsoadoptedherprecautionofmakingabriefsearchthroughherroom,tosatisfyherselfthatnolurkingassassinorrobberwas"ensconced."
Thesewisemeasurestaken,Igotintomybedandfellasleep.Alightwasburninginmyroom.Thiswasanoldhabit,ofveryearlydate,andwhichnothingcouldhavetemptedmetodispensewith.
ThusfortifiedImighttakemyrestinpeace.Butdreamscomethroughstonewalls,lightupdarkrooms,ordarkenlightones,andtheirpersonsmaketheirexitsandtheirentrancesastheyplease,andlaughatlocksmiths.
Ihadadreamthatnightthatwasthebeginningofaverystrangeagony.
Icannotcallitanightmare,forIwasquiteconsciousofbeingasleep.
