My candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open.

...learn from my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own.

My dreams were at once more fantastic and agreeable than my writings.

One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought

What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow.

In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought that the same cause should produce such opposite effects.

Nothing is more painful to the human mind than, after the feelings have been worked up by a quick succession of events, the dead calmness of inaction and certainty which follows and deprives the soul both of hope and fear.