It was as
though he had suddenly become emperor of the whole universe. He
floated through wondrous regions of soft colour, and strains of
divine music sounded in his ears. Gentle hands carried him with an
easy swaying motion to transcendent heights, where every breath he
drew was like a draught of sparkling life. His whole being was
filled with something which he knew was happiness, until he felt
as though he could not contain the overflowing joy. At one moment
he glided beyond the clouds through a gorgeous sunset; at another
he was lying on a soft invisible couch, looking out to the bright
distance--distance that never ended, never could end, but the
contemplation of which was rapture, the greater for being
inexplicable. An exquisite new sense was in him, corresponding to
no bodily instinct, but rejoicing wildly in something that could
not be defined, nor understood, nor measured, but only felt.
At last he began to descend, slowly at first and then with
increasing speed, till he grew giddy and unconscious in the fall.
He awoke and uttered a cry of terror. It was night, and he was
alone in the dark. He was chilled to the bone, too, and his head
was heavy, but the darkness was unbearable, and though he would
gladly have slept again he dared not remain an instant without a
light.
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