On the surface of the cloud there seemed to be forming a
number of little golden spots; these spots were moving, and he saw that
they were toads. Then, beyond them, a huge face shaped itself, very
dark, as if of bronze, with eyes burning into his brain. The more he
struggled to get away from these eyes, the more they bored and burned
into him. His voice was gone, so that he was unable to cry out, and
suddenly the face marched over him.
When he recovered consciousness his head was damp with moisture
trickling from something held to his forehead by a figure leaning above
him. Lifting his hand he touched a cheek; and hearing a sob instantly
suppressed, he sighed. His hand was gently taken; he felt kisses on it.
The room was so dark, that he could scarcely see her face--his sight
too was dim; but he could hear her breathing and the least sound of
her dress and movements--the scent too of her hands and hair seemed to
envelop him, and in the midst of all the acute discomfort of his fever,
he felt the band round his brain relax. He did not ask how long she had
been there, but lay quite still, trying to keep his eyes on her, for
fear of that face, which seemed lurking behind the air, ready to march
on him again. Then feeling suddenly that he could not hold it back,
he beckoned, and clutched at her, trying to cover himself with the
protection of her breast.
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