Pagina 284 di 2288

She felt her eyes opening wider and wider, her fingers and toes

twitching nervously, something within oppressing her breathing,

while all shapes and sounds seemed in the uncertain half-light to

strike her with unaccustomed vividness. Moments of doubt were

continually coming upon her, when she was uncertain whether the

train were going forwards or backwards, or were standing still

altogether; whether it were Annushka at her side or a stranger.

"What's that on the arm of the chair, a fur cloak or some beast?

And what am I myself? Myself or some other woman?" She was afraid

of giving way to this delirium. But something drew her towards

it, and she could yield to it or resist it at will. She got up to

rouse herself, and slipped off her plaid and the cape of her warm

dress.