gradually assumed their wonted appearance, and presently ...
without any violent start or exclamation ... he awoke! But was it
a real awakening? or rather a continuation of some strange
impression received in slumber?

He rose to his feet, pushing back the hair from his brow with an
entranced look of listening wonderment--his eyes were humid yet
brilliant--his whole aspect was that of one inspired. He paced
once or twice up and down the room, but he was evidently
unconscious of his surroundings--he seemed possessed by thoughts
which absorbed his whole being. Presently he seated himself at the
table, and absently fingering the writing materials that were upon
it, he appeared meditatively to question their use and meaning.
Then, drawing several sheets of paper toward him, he began to
write with extraordinary rapidity and eagerness--his pen travelled
on smoothly, uninterrupted by blot or erasure. Sometimes he
paused--but when he did it was always with an upraised,
attentively listening expression. Once he murmured aloud "ARDATH!
Nay, I shall not forget!--we will meet at ARDATH!" and again he
resumed his occupation. Page after page he covered with close
writing-no weak, uncertain scrawl, but a firm bold, neat
caligraphy,--his own peculiar, characteristic hand. The sun
mounted higher and higher in the heavens, ... hour after hour
passed, and still lie wrote on, apparently unaware of the flitting
time. At mid-day the bell, which had not rung since early dawn,
began to swing quickly to and fro in the chapel turret,--the deep
bass of the organ breathed on the silence a thunderous monotone,
and a bee-like murmur of distant voices proclaimed the words:
"Angelas Domine nuntiavit Mariae"