As I had omitted all mention of the most serious part of my adventure--had said nothing of my vision of Carmel or the terrible conclusions which her presence there had awakened--my conscience was in a state of perturbation which added greatly to my confusion.

For a moment I did not know where I stood, and I am afraid I betrayed a sense of my position.

He had to recall me to myself by an unimportant question or two before I could go on.

When I did proceed, it was with less connection of ideas and a haste in speaking which was not due altogether to the harrowing nature of the tale itself.
"I had matches in my pocket and I struck one," I began.

"Afterwards I lit the candle.