A terrible, excruciating headache of maddening intensity, a violent
throbbing, as if molten lead were being injected into my skull; a
horrible pain through my eyes and temples like the pricking of red-hot
needles.
I tried to think, but could remember nothing distinctly; I was only
conscious of frightful agony. To all else I was oblivious. Where I
was, or what were my surroundings, I knew not.
My mind was wandering, my reason giving way, for suddenly I felt a
sensation as if the burning in my head had been succeeded by an icy
coldness which seemed to freeze my senses; and then, as suddenly, I felt
as if I were being borne along in mid-air, floating higher and higher
into space, then down, down, into depths too terrible to contemplate.
In a moment I should be dashed to pieces. I felt I was falling and
utterly unable to save myself.
The sensation was awful.
One moment I fancied I was in London, amid old associations and boon
companions, the next I seemed in some out-of-the-way place, lonely and
forgotten. Presently I saw the grave, beautiful face of Vera, and then
it gave place to that of a middle-aged man, whose sinister features
puckered into a hideous mocking smile.
I tried to collect my thoughts, to shape them, to think; but it was no
use.
The pains returned more acutely than before. I essayed to cry out, but
my dry, parched tongue clave to the roof of my mouth. I felt weak and
ill, and my agony was so intense I was convinced if it continued I
should go mad or die.
Perhaps it grew too much for me, for as the throbbing in my temples
increased, I experienced a sickening sensation of giddiness, and again
became insensible.