Wide awake, she waited for a moment to make sure that she was not mad, or that she was not asleep or in a half-dream.

In the pause, she felt the Thing draw up towards her knees, dragging its body along with tiger-like closeness, and with that strange pressure which was not weight but power.
With a cry which was no longer doubt, but agonized apprehension, she threw the Thing from her with a motion of both hands and feet; and, as she did so, she felt a horrible cold air breathing from a bloodless body, chill her hand.
In another instant she was on her feet again.

With shaking fingers she lighted the candle yet once more, after which she lighted a lamp standing upon the chest of drawers.

The room was almost brilliantly bright now.

With a gesture of incredulity she looked round.