ward to rise, my head rolled from off my shoulders, and, falling to the floor, broke and burst like a huge egg upon the carpet.
And once again,—it is unpleasant to have to describe the fantasy,—as I walked falteringly hither and thither, the whole of my internal economy fell out with a hideous splash.
But more commonly, "Keef" gives way to, and blends itself with, a species of fantastic nightmare. I remember well how, having for a long time sat in adoring contemplation of a divinely lovely sylph, I saw her move slowly away, and, agonised at the idea of losing her, followed the retreating figure to the entrance of a stone staircase that led downwards into the dimly lighted bowels of the earth. She descended, and I went after her. In a moment she disappeared, for the staircase was a winding one; but I could still hear the patter of her bare feet, and I quickened my pace. In a few minutes I ceased to be master of my movements. My progress became a run, a head-long rush, and then a sheer
