the vague and unfocused likeness of this treachery seemed to defy all hopes of losing form in that prolonged moment of null existence between dreamsin that dormant fog which separated one subconsciously-contrived story from the next and in that sempiternal gap through which a seeming wind of semblance could be said to sweepbut instead , it persisted ever so quietly like an overstaying guest who bore , along with the silent volumes implied by his continued and unabated presence , a strange , enigmatic smile .