That she looked at the candle she had left burning, and, measuring the time like King Alfred the Great, was confirmed by its wasted state in her belief that she had been asleep for some considerable period.
That she arose thereupon, muffled herself up in a wrapper, put on her shoes, and went out on the staircase, much surprised, to look for Jeremiah.
The staircase was as wooden and solid as need be, and Affery went straight down it without any of those deviations peculiar to dreams.
She did not skim over it, but walked down it, and guided herself by the banisters on account of her candle having died out.

In one corner of the hall, behind the house-door, there was a little waiting-room, like a well-shaft, with a long narrow window in it as if it had been ripped up.
In this room, which was never used, a light was burning.
Mrs Flintwinch crossed the hall, feeling its pavement cold to her stockingless feet, and peeped in between the rusty hinges on the door, which stood a little open.

She expected to see Jeremiah fast asleep or in a fit, but he was calmly seated in a chair, awake, and in his usual health.

But what--hey ?--Lord forgive us!--Mrs Flintwinch muttered some ejaculation to this effect, and turned giddy.
For, Mr Flintwinch awake, was watching Mr Flintwinch asleep.

He sat on one side of the small table, looking keenly at himself on the other side with his chin sunk on his breast, snoring.