midday
But at length something stirring near him , -- or whether it stirred , or whether he dreamed it , he could not quite tell , -- but the uncertainty impelled him , at last , to open his eyes , and see whereabouts he was . Even then he continued in as much uncertainty as he was before , and lay with marvellous quietude in it , trying sluggishly to make the mystery out . It was in a dim , twilight place , wherever it might be ; a place of half-awakeness , where the outlines of things were not well defined ; but it seemed to be a chamber , antique and vaulted , narrow and high , hung round with old tapestry . Whether it were morning or midday he could not tell , such was the character of the light , nor even where it came from ; for there appeared to be no windows , and yet it was not apparently artificial light ; nor light at all , indeed , but a gray dimness . It was so like his own half-awake state that he lay in it a longer time , not incited to finish his awaking , but in a languor , not disagreeable , yet hanging heavily , heavily upon him , like a dark pall . It was , in fact , as if he had been asleep for years , or centuries , or till the last day was dawning , and then was collecting his thoughts in such slow fashion as would then be likely . Again that noise , -- a little , low , quiet sound , as of one breathing somewhere near him .