"But I can't imagine I've been subtle about the true object of my interest. The chemical catalyst whose involvement sets off all these hissing and spitting compounds of insanity."

In a dream, everything around you can shift in a second. It can shift and suddenly become something new, or something that always was. Strange threads of reality push each other out of the way in the sleeper's mind. In the way things were, Grout had his back to Dorian, apparently unaware of his presence. In the way they are now, a moment later, he's facing Dorian with an inquisitive gaze.

"You've led a life worthy of writing about, Mr Gray."