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answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere

long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My

head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they

sat and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct:—it

continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to

get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained

definitiveness—until, at length, I found that the noise was

not within my ears.

No doubt I now grew very pale;—but I talked more

fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound

increased—and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick

sound—much such a sound as a watch makes when

enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath—and yet the officers

heard it not. I talked more quickly—more vehemently; but

the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles,

in a high key and with violent gesticulations, but the noise

steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the

floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by

the observation of the men—but the noise steadily increased.

Oh God! what could I do? I foamed—I raved—I swore! I

swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it

upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually

increased. It grew louder—louder—louder! And still the

men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they

heard not? Almighty God!—no, no! They heard!—they

suspected!—they knew!—they were making a mockery of

my horror!—this I thought, and this I think. But any thing

was better than this agony! Any thing was more tolerable

than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no

longer! I felt that I must scream or die!—and now—again!—

hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!—

"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the

deed!—tear up the planks!—here, here!—it is the beating of

his hideous heart!"