Shefeltforthematch-box，andpausedafterfindingit。
Avaguesenseofconfusionwasstillinhermind。Shewasinnohurrytolightthematch。Thepauseinthedarknesswas，forthemoment，agreeabletoher。
Inthequieterflowofherthoughtsduringthisinterval，shecouldaskherselfthenaturalquestion：——Whatcausehadawakenedhersosuddenly，andhadsostrangelyshakenhernerves？
Haditbeentheinfluenceofadream？Shehadnotdreamedatall——or，tospeakmorecorrectly，shehadnowakingremembranceofhavingdreamed。Themysterywasbeyondherfathoming：
thedarknessbegantooppressher。Shestruckthematchonthebox，andlithercandle。